Each developer made a 10-minute presentation, followed by comments from panel members. The least criticized design was by Pinnacle Entertainment, except for the Trump Organization. Its presentation contained no renderings, floor plans or details, because, the developer said, they have gone back to the drawing boards after obtaining input from neighbors at the site. "The Trump plan got a pass tonight, but they don't get a pass," said panel member Alan Greenberger, a principal at MGA Partners architectural firm.

Asked, during a public Q and A to name the plan they liked most, only Greenberger answered. "Pinnacle comes first," he said, "because in making a public place, it's self-contained and has the possibility of becoming the most animated." The plan includes a skating rink and other public entertainment facilities.

Robert Hillier, who heads Hillier Architecture, said the Pinnacle plan, "works very well on the river side. The circle on the river side saves a lot more frontage, but I'm disappointed in the street side."

All but the Trump proposal are at sites along the Delaware Riverfront. The six panelists leveled as much criticism at the city as at the developers in respect to all plans, but especially the riverfront four. "You're stuck with huge projects and no overall plan," said Eugenie Birch, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's school of design. "It all comes back to the lack of plan, a design concept for the city and the riverfront."

Of the Foxwoods' design, Birch said, "it looks like it could be anywhere in the world." She later said, "we're a city, not a suburb. Let's come up with a new model. There may be other cities that would also want one."

The Sugar House design requires people "to have to walk through the slots parlor to have public access to the water," Greenberger said. "And, at the edges of the complex, they pass only parking garages." Access to the water and the high visibility of parking garages were important considerations mentioned by all members of the panel, and also led to criticism of Planet Hollywood's RiverWalk design.

"I can't see using valuable riverfront to put boxes where nobody looks out anyway," Hillier said. "The river used to be lined with warehouses, and we don't need to replace them with warehouses full of slot machines." By themselves, casinos "are not about entertainment. These plans have to include other things and be walkable, so people can park their car, enjoy the river, have dinner and a lot more fun."