Recent reports highlighting the possible move of Thistledown racetrack from Cleveland to the Akron-Canton area is gaining some attention in the city of Green.

Mayor Dick Norton says he is still unsure if the city would welcome a horse racetrack with video slot machines.

"The reality is we've got to make sure that it can blend with our vision of what Green is and what we want to be," said Norton.

Norton confirmed that officials with Rock Ohio Caesars sat down with him last fall to discuss the possible relocation near the Akron-Canton airport. 

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert owns Rock Ohio along with the HorseShoe Casino in Cleveland which is expected to open this May.

"Dan Gilbert and his organization are proposing to do something pretty classy and pretty spectacular."

Norton says the move would be financially beneficial to the city, but he doesn't want one company to overshadow the city.

"We clearly wouldn't want a racino or any one company to define who we are as a city."

Rock Ohio is looking at multiple locations if the relocation is approved, according to Norton. 

Could the Thistledown race track be moving to the Akron area?

The Plain Dealer reports that such a move is being discussed now among the track's owners and state officials...the result of a proposal to add slot machines at the horse racing track currently located in North Randall.

Rock Ohio Caesars owns both Thistledown and the soon-to-open Horseshoe Casino on Cleveland's Public Square. The company wants to reduce competition to its own new casino by moving the race track and slots operation.

The Beacon Journal reports that Summit County officials say Thistledown could move to near the Akron-Canton Airport or to the Mogadore area.

Rock Ohio Caesars officials and the administration of Gov. Kasich are talking about the potential move.

No slot machines have yet been installed at horse racing tracks, as the industry awaits the outcome of a lawsuit filed by anti-gambling interests.

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On the Web: Cleveland Plain Dealer, www.cleveland.com

Akron Beacon Journal, www.ohio.com