The Davenport city council recently unanimously voted to approve rezoning 108.7 acres of land at Interstates 80 and 74 from an Agricultural District to a Planned Development District, to make way for a 0 million casino with a 7-story, 143-room hotel and event center, plus other businesses. The vote was the second of three required to advance Dan Kehl’s Scott County Casino LLC development. The third and final rezoning vote will be held this Wednesday, November 5. If aldermen vote to approve the rezoning at the third and final special meeting on November 5, another vote immediately will be taken to approve the casino’s final development plan. The next step would be groundbreaking for the casino complex, to be held later this month.
The city will spend $45 million on roads that will provide better casino access and keep traffic out of the neighborhoods. Tom Jacobson, president of the Jersey Farms Neighborhood Association, told aldermen that the neighbors appreciate that work that is being done. “We look forward to working with you,” Jacobson said.
The state of Iowa rejected Davenport’s last River 80 application which requested $17.5 million for a $71.5 million project for retail, a hotel, an indoor-outdoor water park and performance venue, all designed to complement the casino. Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba said he’s confident the next application will be approved. “This is a $250 million development, the biggest development in the history of Davenport in one single place. The state wants to see this development happen. This will not only bring tourists to the area, but shoppers to the state.” He added the development also would raise the tax base of Scott County and Davenport and generate revenue for the state.
Gluba said if the state once again rejects the city’s application, the projects still will get done. “We’ll make it work somehow. We’ll find the money. It will slow us down, but won’t stop us,” he said.
