Friday, December 08, 2006

Where SHOULD the casino go?
& Open Thread

I know I shouldn't do another post about Rhythm City, but the QCTimes had another article about it, so what the heck.

This time my question is where do you folks think it should go?

These suggestions don't need to be realistic, cost effective, etc, but they should involve Davenport, as that's where the gambling license "lives."

Other than that, I heard there was a big accident this morning on Locust, and what else is happening around town?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

80 and Eastern

Anonymous said...

It should stay downtown.

Unknown said...

In light of what the Vision Iowa board is now saying about the CAT application, it should definitely stay near the river somewhere.

Socialist Christian Hippie said...

Northpark

Anonymous said...

Donna Bushek's backyard.

hoganj300 said...

Well, since I know that 1000 feet from the river law is no longer in effect, I'm going to say 280 and River Drive. A casino hotel on a bluff over there would have a spectacular view. If the casino was to move to an interstate location where it can have a larger complex, I'm expecting IOC to create one of the best casinos in the Midwest, with amenities such as a golf course and Vegas style gambling, which means it has to be significantly better than the new complex in Waterloo opening next year. If Goldstein cannot do this without supporting the RiverVision plan as much as his company did before, I don't think the city should allow them to move out of downtown.
Another concern with moving out of downtown is the plan to have 500+ rooms downtown to support the RiverCenter. I'm sure that IOC wants to include a good amount of event space at a new casino, which would definitely hurt the RiverCenter.
I know this is a long comment, but I wish the casino would really stay downtown and, if they could, move north of River Drive close to the RiverCenter. It would be great if IOC could attract high end shopping, like they have in Las Vegas, into a new casino downtown.

QuadCityImages said...

Yes, they could really be part of a new entertainment venue instead of just building their own out in a cornfield.

Anonymous said...

The casino doesn't care about the RiverCenter. These are the people who ran the Blackhawk into the ground. I'm afraid they'd pretty much have to be forced to locate in that area. I think they're looking for more of an open space.

I think the 1000 ft rule is still there, but the rule is now that it has to be 1000 ft from any recreational body of water, natural or man-made. It could even be a small pond that they make themselves. If you're talking River Drive and I-280, that would likely be within 1000 feet of West Lake (1000 feet is nearly two tenths of a mile).

Anonymous said...

Despite the Rivercenter, Rivervision, stadium improvements and other municipal improvements, business is going to decide what is best for just one bottomline. 99 and 25 year leases do not mean very much. Unless River Drive quickly becomes I-480 the IOC is not going to listen to where we think a casino should go.

When you drive the interstates in the midwest seeing billboards for casinos do you really try to find them? No, only if you see them just past tnat next exit are you likely to stop.

Guarantee gas is always 20 cents cheaper downtown than on I-80 and you will get people to come.

I'll bet Northwest Blvd has moved tothe top of the list for road improvements next spring.

Anonymous said...

Wacky Waters is a recreational body of water

Anonymous said...

The RiverCenter should have a wrecking ball taken to it, along with the Blackhawk. It'd save us millions in the long run.

QuadCityImages said...

Yeah, who needs the Festival of Trees, auto shows, pool tournaments, Womens' Lifestyle Fair, Bix Fitness Fair, etc...

When we get rid of all Davenport's expensive amenities we can all sit home and watch TV. Sounds great.

Anonymous said...

The Northwest Boulevard interchange is in the process of undergoing a major change and Pine Street will be improved as well. It has been planned for many years and the timing is for next year on the major work to occur.

Anonymous said...

Just do not expect a casino of all things to stay and support the city's "Field of Dreams" mentality.

Sugars and the boat will both be gone, taking alot of the wrong element with them. The downtown will have a level playing field now to compete with Moline and Rock Island.

Anonymous said...

either some how tied in with the river center and a torn down black hawk... and draw in big name bands to the adler... or Credit Island? Keep it down town. Keep with river vision