Casino in Parkville?

[Thrillcekr]

Not sure how I missed this but I ran across it in the Platte County Landmark this morning.

      4-11-07
 
    Casino considers Parkville

 
  by Stacy Wiedmaier and Ivan Foley
Landmark staff

Some Parkville city officials have met with a development group studying the possibility of building a casino at Interstate 435 and River Road (Hwy. FF).

The Landmark has learned, though none of the parties are directly confirming, that Parkville mayor Kathy Dusenbery and alderman Deborah Butcher and Jim Brooks met with the interested developer recently at The National Golf Club in Parkville.

The possibility of a casino enterprise being constructed in Parkville has been discussed previously, though it was more than a decade ago. The city looked into the idea of attracting a casino and multiple restaurants near the downtown area around 1993, at a time when the riverboat casinos were first legalized in the state. In that era, after numerous votes by citizens, Parkville voters approved the idea of allowing a casino in the city limits.

The newest possibility is different in that it would be located a considerable distance from downtown Parkville. The city expanded its city limits several years ago with a large annexation. The area of I-435 and River Road was included in that annexation.

Proponents of the latest casino idea say the proposed location of I-435 and River Road would mean the casino would be further away from downtown Parkville than is the Argosy Casino, located in Riverside.

Joe Turner, city administrator, confirmed the fact that city officials have met with potential developers in the last 10 days. He said this party has shown a marked interest in constructing a casino and restaurants at the I-435 and the River Road corridor. Turner said he was not present at the meeting due to another engagement, but he is certain the mayor was in attendance.

“Many developers come in to discuss their ideas with us and we’re just listening to interested parties right now, that’s all,” said Turner. “We’re only in preliminary discussions and we are being non-specific at this point. If this idea does go forward, it would be a long time away.”

Turner said the property is not currently zoned for constructing such a large plan. There are several necessary steps that must be taken first, including an in-depth discussion by the board of aldermen which has not yet occurred. The board would make the final decision if the plan proceeds.

Onramps and offramps from I-435 would need to be constructed to serve the area. Supporters say these ramps would also benefit other parts of Parkville, including downtown, by providing easier access.

“To move forward with anything at this point, we would need some type of concrete plans from the interested parties,” Turner said. “The ball is definitely in their court and they have to make the next move if they’re interested. The plan would then go to the planning and zoning commission first, then the board of aldermen. This item has not been placed on an upcoming agenda for anyone to review.”

Turner said the city has not been approached by developers about casino development in recent years, at least since he has been employed by the city beginning in 2004.

He did not specify the names of a development company or specific individuals, only that they have met with “interested parties.”

One source told The Landmark the developer is from Colorado.

The I-435 and River Road area is in Ward 1. Deborah Butcher serves as the elected alderman in the ward. She said she is unaware of anything set in stone and has yet to see or hear definite plans for a possible casino.

“There have been no zoning permits issued and I have not been contacted by any casino operator because there is nothing out there,” Butcher said.

“This proposal, if it happens, would be totally different than the last one (in 1993.) Back then there were no casinos in this area and we were pushing to develop downtown when it was a ghost town. I am absolutely not for a casino being built downtown. I would never support that campaign again. We have worked too hard to revitalize our downtown for that to happen.”

Butcher said she is unsure what the public would think about a possible casino being built in the area. She said if the potential plans were presented to the city and the site was indeed near I-435 instead of the downtown area, she would be willing to listen.

“The responsible thing to do would be to look at the economic growth and potential revenue this city could gain,” she stated. “I’ll listen to any reasonable plan that could possibly bring quality revenue that doesn’t complicate our lifestyles.”

Neither the mayor nor Parkville community development director Sean Ackerson had returned The Landmark’s inquiry by press time.

[KCK]

So with the Parkville casino, the KCK casino, and the slots at the Woodlands, the KC area would be getting three new gambling venues. Seems a bit much.

[Thrillcekr]

Don't forget the one Sugar Creek is gunning for.  They applied for a license with the state of Missouri a few months before the slots at the Woodlands came to fruition.  I haven't heard any updates on that project since.

Somebody may go belly up but that's the risk you take when you set up shop in an area where there's already competition and it was almost certain that more would be coming.  My guess is that it will be the Woodlands if it's anyone.  The other casinos offer a lot of games in addition to slots as well as entertainment and lots of dining choices.  I think that's probably gonna give them the edge.  We'll see.  Hopefully things will all work out and nobody loses an eye.

[KCMax]

So with the Parkville casino, the KCK casino, and the slots at the Woodlands, the KC area would be getting three new gambling venues. Seems a bit much.

Hopefully they can all put Isle of Capri out of business.

[Pastense]

Hopefully they can all put Isle of Capri out of business.

What's your complaint with the Isle of Capri?
It may be ugly but it's providing a lot of jobs and revenue (taxes and lease payments to the city). It wouldn't be good for KCMO if it closed.

[Gladstoner]

What cracks me up is that Capri is an island in the Mediterranean, not the Caribbean.

[KCMax]

What's your complaint with the Isle of Capri?
It may be ugly but it's providing a lot of jobs and revenue (taxes and lease payments to the city). It wouldn't be good for KCMO if it closed.

It is ugly.

The KC gaming market is stretched pretty thin as it is. Adding another casino in Kansas will surely hurt the business of the MO casinos. If one were to be hurt, I'd rather it be the worst one - Isle of Capri.

[jlbomega]

We have already had a casino go belly up (Sams Town). 

[nota]

WHY ON EARTH would we need another casino?

[Pastense]

It is ugly. The KC gaming market is stretched pretty thin as it is. Adding another casino in Kansas will surely hurt the business of the MO casinos. If one were to be hurt, I'd rather it be the worst one - Isle of Capri.

The casino most likely to suffer from a Wyandotte County casino is the Argosy, where most of the customers come from the Kansas side. The notion of developing another new facility in Parkville is a fantasy.

[Thrillcekr]

It is ugly.

The KC gaming market is stretched pretty thin as it is. Adding another casino in Kansas will surely hurt the business of the MO casinos. If one were to be hurt, I'd rather it be the worst one - Isle of Capri.

I wouldn't.  The Isle was here first. 

Casinos in general are tacky so saying you don't like Isle because it's ugly is like saying you don't like sushi because it's too Asian.  I seriously doubt it will happen anyway.  A place that only offers slots is never going to be able to compete with a full fledged casino much less put it under.  Card games and the like are way too popular and an integral part of any gaming establishment.

The only fantasy is thinking that  a track that can barely sustain itself will miraculously be saved by throwing in some slot machines.  That might have worked if there were no other places to play slots but that's not the case.  No serious gambler is going to waste their time with such a place.

[Kcfireman]

I think the whole "river boat" law is stupid.  I think they should put a casino downtown or anywhere.  I also think the whole $500 loss limit is also stupid.

[KCMax]

I think the whole "river boat" law is stupid.  I think they should put a casino downtown or anywhere.  I also think the whole $500 loss limit is also stupid.

A guy died last week at the Isle of Capri falling into the moat. I wonder if this will cause lawmakers to revisit the silly law.

[Thrillcekr]

A guy died last week at the Isle of Capri falling into the moat. I wonder if this will cause lawmakers to revisit the silly law.

I thought the paper said last week that the loss limit is no more.  I could be wrong though.

You're gonna think this is crazy but that guy that died was the son of one of my coworkers.  She was gone from work all last week because of it and it's the second son she's lost.  The first was murdered.

The way I understood it, he won some money and they ran some sort of a check on him.  I guess it's standard procedure to do that when somebody wins a large sum of money.  I've never been that lucky to really know though.  Anyway, I was told they found he had a bench warrant on a traffic ticket or something.  They tried to arrest him and he ran.  I'm guessing he wasn't trying to kill himself but ended up doing so from the impact of hitting the water or something.  I haven't gotten all of the details from Trish because she hasn't been at work and I won't ever ask because she's obviously beside herself over it.  I know the feeling because I've lost a brother and a sister myself.  It's tough and it will take a great deal of time before she can discuss it without getting upset.  She'll either tell me on her own one day or I'll never know and I'll be fine with that.  Keep in mind, this is just second hand information from other coworkers so it may not all be fact. 

[KCMax]

I meant the silly "casinos must be on water" law. They did remove the loss limit law.

[Pastense]

A place that only offers slots is never going to be able to compete with a full fledged casino much less put it under.  Card games and the like are way too popular and an integral part of any gaming establishment. The only fantasy is thinking that  a track that can barely sustain itself will miraculously be saved by throwing in some slot machines.  That might have worked if there were no other places to play slots but that's not the case.  No serious gambler is going to waste their time with such a place.

The new Kansas gaming law will allow full-blown casino's with table games at 4 new locations in Kansas, including Wyandotte County. The law also gives an allotment of slots to several existing dog and horse tracks. A well-executed Wyandotte County casino will hurt the Missouri boats, with Argosy the most seriously impacted. Western and southern Johnson county and Wyandotte county are the home areas of much of their customer base.

[Thrillcekr]

The new Kansas gaming law will allow full-blown casino's with table games at 4 new locations in Kansas, including Wyandotte County. The law also gives an allotment of slots to several existing dog and horse tracks. A well-executed Wyandotte County casino will hurt the Missouri boats, with Argosy the most seriously impacted. Western and southern Johnson county and Wyandotte county are the home areas of much of their customer base.

Alright then.  I'm talking about the Woodlands here.  Like I said, having slots only will hamper them.  If a full fledged casino opens in Wyandotte it'll hurt the dog track a lot worse than the Argosy which has all of the same games.  I think if they put it in downtown KCK then you'll find most Johnson Countians won't go there anyway.  Whether it's warranted or not, the perception those people have of the urban part of KCK is the same as it is of the urban parts of KCMO.  They'll opt for the perceived safety of Riverside every time.  Guarantee it.

In response to Max, I'm with you.  I've always thought the requirement to make these things boats was ridiculous from the beginning. I think it was just a move to get their foot in the door.  Same with the loss limits.  I expect the boat thing to disappear in the next couple of years as well. 

I think it would be better if they just zoned an area for casinos and had them all in one location but I don't see it happening.  That would mean some communities losing their revenue and that would stir up a huge stink.  Too bad though.  Talk about an excellent way to revive the west bottoms.

[KCMax]

Alright then.  I'm talking about the Woodlands here.  Like I said, having slots only will hamper them.  If a full fledged casino opens in Wyandotte it'll hurt the dog track a lot worse than the Argosy which has all of the same games.  I think if they put it in downtown KCK then you'll find most Johnson Countians won't go there anyway. 

I agree with this. The Woodlands thinks slots will keep them afloat, but I predict their doors will be closed within the next five years.

[Pastense]

I think it would be better if they just zoned an area for casinos and had them all in one location but I don't see it happening.  That would mean some communities losing their revenue and that would stir up a huge stink.  Too bad though.  Talk about an excellent way to revive the west bottoms.

Hindsight is 20/20. KCMO should have located all the original KCMO boats (Boyd,Station and Hilton) on the Berkley Park site (a'la Tunica). That concentration of recreation would have provided support to Downtown, Rivermarket and the convention/hotel business.