Danville’s Area Planning and Zoning Commission recently made new zoning petitions regarding the upcoming Golden Nugget casino in Danville. The petition was brought forward by Logan Cronk, the zoning and community development administrator for Danville. Cronk’s mission is simple; he wants a portion of the text amended in Danville’s zoning ordinance.
Specifically, Cronk is asking that the term casino be added to the city’s zoning ordinance dictionary. Cronk, alongside Corp. counsel James Simon, sent a memo to the zoning commission noting that the text amendments could have a serious effect on various zoning districts in the city.
At present, Danville has 33 properties that house 180 video game terminals. If the text amendments are made, B-3 (business zone) and I-2 (industrial zone) could both be allowed to offer casino gaming of some kind. Both Cronk and Simon agree that both the industrial and business zones have vacant properties that could one day serve as gaming facilities.
Cronk believes that as time progresses, the Illinois Gaming Board will approve additional forms of gaming in the state. These forms of gaming include video game terminals, off-track betting parlors, the expansion of sports betting to include wagers on college teams and athletes, the legalization of iGaming, and more.
According to the Mayor of Danville, Rickey Williams Jr., introducing a world-class casino brand into the city is exactly what Danville needs to start recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic. The benefits of having a casino brand in the city will be tremendous for the locals and the general gambling market in the state.
Upfront investments will be made into the city including investing $1 million in the addition of a new centre for the Boys & Girls Club. An additional $1 million will also be used for making much-needed upgrades to the municipal building. Further investments will be made for upgrading the riverfront, as well as linking it to Ellsworth Park and the Kickapoo trail.
The state also plans to direct funding to help the police and fire department with their training needs while also saving some funds for the city’s community college scholarships. For more than 30 years, Danville residents have requested the addition of a riverboat casino and this is finally coming to fruition. This new casino will prove to be a win not just for the locals but the state economy as well.
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Construction of the Danville casino is already underway
Golden Nugget Casino in Danville broke ground this April at 204 Eastgate Drive. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by various company officials and government authorities including the Mayor of Danville Rickey William Jr, and Fertitta Entertainment COO Gaming, Gerry Del Prete.
Also in attendance was former State Rep Lou Lang, who said a few words on behalf of Golden Nugget, Danville Development, and Wimorite Management. Before the ground for the facility was broken, the destruction and clean-up of a building close by were already underway. This tear-down and clean-up were done to make room for Danville’s new casino.
Ever since a casino was opened in Shelbyville a few years ago, tax revenues from that facility have been utilized for economic development projects all over the region. Shelbyville officials have been able to direct funds to build additional roads, which has helped to attract new businesses to the area. So far, the casino development has been nothing short of beneficial for the community as it is now one of the biggest tourist attraction sites in the state.
Shelbyville is home to Harrah’s Indy, which is a casino and racetrack owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment. Shelbyville started with just its horse track and later added a casino. Danville, which expects the brand-new Caesars Virginia casino to open its doors next year at the old School field site in Dan River, expects to generate similar results as Shelbyville.
Danville’s new casino is expected to produce approximately $38 million in tax revenue each year for the city. Plans for the facility include the construction of a destination resort worth $500 that will contain 500 hotel rooms, a spa, a pool area, as well as a fitness facility. The casino will also feature more than 1400 slot machines and table games.
There will also be a sportsbook available on site, as well as a World Series Of Poker room that will contain 25 tables. The hotel’s meeting and convention center will be massive at 40,000 square feet and capable of seating about 2500 people. Golden Nugget Danville will also have several bars and restaurants on offer.
Caesars Entertainment has already selected the Whiting-Turner firm, a Maryland-based company, as the contractor for the construction of the long-awaited casino resort. The firm will rely on local laborers, which will be a massive boost for the community. Construction is expected to take several months but officials are hoping to welcome its first guests by early 2013.
Not only will the brand-new casino help to improve the quality of life for the people of Danville but it will also provide a new source of revenue that will be used to improve the local education system, and the neighborhoods, while also enhancing tourism in the city. Since the casino will be situated on the border of Indiana, the people of Danville are hopeful that the casino will bring in new visitors from nearby cities such as Indianapolis.
Final Thoughts
This new casino in Danville is more important than most people realize as it will be essential in providing space for conferences, events, and concerts. The casino has already provided 1000 new jobs and has helped to bring more interested workers to Danville County. Having a new casino in Danville has helped to make the region an attractive place for future investors and business owners.
Since the construction project was announced, attention from housing and hospitality developers has also shot through the roof. The city has been working industriously to make certain that the appropriate resources are allocated to expedite the construction of the new Danville Golden Nugget casino.
