Cedar Rapids casino advocates releasing plans for $250 million proposal

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) — Proponents out of a revitalized casino proposal inside Cedar Rapids have unveiled plans for some multimillion-dollar facility on each south bank made from each Cedar River.

Certain Linn County Gaming Association, Cedar Rapids Development Group plus Peninsula Pacific Entertainment released a $250 million plan for Cedar Crossing. Any facility, occupying ground across any river from Quaker Oats. Any plan calls for a facility with bars, restaurants, single “foodie entertainment” venue with the moniker of local PGA golfer Zach Johnson, and per 1,500-person event center.

“Cedar Crossing is going in order to seem any cornerstone out of Cedar Rapids’ revitalization efforts,” Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell said inside per statement. “Aforementioned team includes set certain vision as well as led each charge longer than anyone – they exist present plus grasp ours community, also they’ve occurred thoughtful amid theirs approach toward establishing certain partnerships they need toward assemble one gaming and entertainment destination from globe class Cedar Rapidians deserve entity.

Proponents touted the job-creating and revenue-generating potential certain casino was able to bring for Linn County. They possess pledged for dedicate 8% from net gaming revenue toward fund local nonprofits, whichever they believe intend contribute between $5 million along with $7 million per annual.

“Starting at certain beginning, our team hold stated such a Linn County Casino ought to aid our communities become extra vibrant places to inhabit,” LCGA President Anne Parmley mentioned inside per statement. “Our group believe us may carry out further also become more – plus any $5-7 million in annual net gaming revenue our team may commit toward fund local nonprofits is for us means of showing belonging to us commitment up to making a county via Linn some better spot to dwell, task and visit.

Peninsula Pacific Entertainment previously developed Diamond Jo Casino amid Dubuque, Diamond Jo Casino amid Worth County and Difficult Rock Hotel & Casino among Sioux Metropolis.

The state commission rejected casino proposals in Linn County amid 2014 and 2017. Proponents made from one local casino stated a expansion made from gambling within any nation and fresh commission membership manner each identical element might by no means happen with one future proposal.

Each Iowa Legislature owns passed a bill such would site single two-year moratorium on novel gambling licenses, what was able to delay any ability for Linn County interested parties toward apply for one license until June 2024. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds contains yet toward sign certain bill.

Linn County voters held not in hope for a casino among a November 2021 referendum vote which was 55% approved. Any vote did by no means approve a specific casino plan. Instead, it ought to allow the Cedar Rapids Development Group along with alternative organizers up to appear skyward with one more plan up to submit to any Iowa Racing plus Gaming Commission among a future.

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