SIOUX CITY, IA -
Raking in close to 61 million dollars in
revenue over the last 12 months, it's safe to say the Argosy Casino is a
popular destination downtown.
But when Penn Gaming, which runs the Argosy,
started fighting with MRHD, the non-profit that holds the gaming
license, state regulators asked for proposals from any interested group.
"We get one chance in the next 50 years to do
this right, we think this is an opportunity to do that. But at the end
of the day, the voters have voted on gambling, and we need to have a
facility in town that makes sense to everybody," said Mayor Bob Scott.
So city leaders drew out a map, with four general locations where the new casino could go.
One of the options is the Pearl District.
It's just a short distance away from the Tyson Events Center, meaning
there is plenty of room for parking and other amenities on its 36 acres
of land.
There is also a 40 acre site southwest of
Historic 4th Street, and a 12 acre site below that. Both sites could
connect easily with the Skywalk, and are close to hotels, restaurants,
bars and the Convention Center.
"When it's close to the Convention Center its
going to make them more apt to go to the casino and spend money there
and spend money at the local businesses in the area, and I just think
that would be excellent thing for Sioux City," said Steven Beardshear, a
Sioux City resident.
The location where the current Argosy boat is
docked is also an option, with a waterfront view and easy access from
the Interstate, but with only 11 acres, is it enough space?
Scott doesn't think so.
"I don't think there's ample parking, and you'd have a difficult time with the existing road system," Scott said.
No matter what decision they make on the
location, if MRHD and Penn can't come to an agreement, one of them will
have to purchase a new gaming license which could run them 20 million
dollars.
