Ante up: County bets on support for multimillion dollar project
Staff reporter
Opportunity knocked Monday and Marion County Commission answered.
Marion County threw its poker chip on the table to be in the running for a $300 million, privately owned resort and casino that could be built in the county.
The facility could provide 1,500 to 2,500 jobs that pay more than $10 per hour, and contribute to the county's sales and property taxes.
Following a presentation, commission chairman Bob Hein made a motion to allow county residents to decide by mail-in ballots if a destination resort and casino should be located in the county. Commissioners Dan Holub and Randy Dallke agreed and the motion passed.
The presentation
Bob Knight of Chisholm Creek Ventures, LLC of Wichita, and Dennis Smith, president of Law/Kingdon of Wichita, partners in the project, presented information to 20 residents who came to hear the pitch.
The complex would be located on 59 acres. A casino, hotel, restaurants, retail stores, convention center, event center, and day-care center would be located on the site with room for expansion.
The 260,000 square-foot casino would offer 2,500 slot machines in the 80,000 square foot gaming area.
For starters, the hotel would have 300 rooms on 12 floors with an indoor/outdoor water park, and spa.
Three bar lounges and numerous restaurants are planned — a 500-seat buffet, 250-seat steakhouse, 24-hour casual dining, and a fast food court.
A convention center would be 40,000 square feet and include a ballroom and meeting rooms. An event center would be 50,000 square feet and provide seating for 2,500-2,800 people.
Future expansion may include 300 additional hotel rooms and an enlarged casino. The project also could attract additional retail business and a race track.
There will be 1,500 construction jobs during the construction phase, 1,500 casino and hotel jobs when the facility first opens in a temporary structure while the permanent structure is being built, and 2,500 permanent jobs boasting a $75-$100 million annual payroll.
The facility also would have water features such as fountains, waterfalls, and other attractions.
Requirements for the facility are direct access to a major highway and availability of necessary utilities.
"We are proposing a straight-up business deal," Knight said. "We're not asking for land, industrial revenue bonds, or tax breaks."
The size of the county does not have anything to do with the location of the casino, said Knight and it would be an enormous tax generator.
For Knight and his partners, support of county residents is important and they will not build in a county where the multimillion dollar enterprise is not wanted.
This development is intended to not be just a casino but a family-friendly destination resort.
"We don't want the problem gamblers," Knight said, or have a negative effect on families. "We're not going to come anywhere we're not wanted."
The day-care facility also will be top-of-the-line, said Knight, where parents feel comfortable leaving their children while they gamble or attend other events.
As a destination resort, people will stay for several days and visit area attractions.
"We want families to enjoy the surrounding attractions (Sedgwick County Zoo, local lakes, etc.)," said Knight. "We also plan to cross-market."
Conducive to a rural setting, the facility will have Midwest appeal.
"It will be 'prairie-style' architecture," said Smith, with influence from famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. "Materials and colors will be indigenous to south-central Kansas."
The interior of the casino will rival those found in Las Vegas. Natural stone and exposed wood will be used throughout the structure.
"Iowa has had gaming for 10 years," said Knight. Terms were set by the state for licensing, giving counties opportunities to revote the issue every seven years.
"Every county has overwhelmingly re-approved it," he said.
Public perception of gaming has changed during the past years, said Knight, including the quality of employees.
Every employee will go through a state background check, Knight said.
Providing a safe and fun environment is paramount to the developers.
"We want people to say 'That was a remarkable experience'," said Knight.
The vote
Registered voters in Marion County will have an opportunity to decide if a destination resort and casino should be located within the county.
A non-binding vote by referendum was approved by the commission. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters within the county.
The ballot will require a yes or no answer to the question similar to "Do you support a destination casino in Marion County?"
Decisions must be made by the end of the year or the beginning of 2006, said Knight.
He commented that even if Sedgwick County were to decide to have a mail-in referendum, it would be difficult for it to be completed by the end of the year.
Harvey and Sumner counties also are planning a mail-in election to determine if there is support for a casino.
Commissioner Dan Holub asked if accessibility to two-lane instead of four-lane highways was acceptable for the development location. Knight said the development would generate more traffic on the two-lanes but did not say it was a problem.
For counties that support casino development, the information will be presented to legislators for a possible change in the state's constitution to allow gaming facilities on private land instead of just Indian reservations.
"Legislative leaders have asked for this project," said Knight.
The ultimate decision will be up to the developers, which includes the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
If legislation allows the development to proceed, construction would take 18 months to complete. A temporary casino facility will be erected to generate revenue during construction, said Knight.
"This will be the very high end of gaming," said Knight. "A tremendous amount of time and attention was given to detail."
He added that private business people are assuming all of the risk.
For existing business in the county, this development would enhance them.
"The key is to get customers," said Knight, "and this would certainly do it."
The developers want this facility to generate the most gaming income in the state and for people to have an enjoyable visit.
"This will be the ultimate in tourism," said Knight, and economic development.
