The Danville Area Planning and Zoning Commission is meeting Thursday, October 3rd and is expected to consider a proposal for a Planned Unit Development for the city’s casino. Danville Casino Acquisition LLC wants an area south of Interstate 74 and along the east side of Southgate Drive to be designated a ‘gaming or entertainment district’.
City planners emphasize the petition is the preliminary development plan, and – if approved – a second, final plan must be submitted for review before any development could begin.
The conceptual site plan to be considered by the Commission lists the preliminary plans for the lay-out of the site, but notes that will change once a gaming operator is selected. The preliminary plans for the 42.3 acre site show:
- 120,000 square feet for casino/gaming and supporting uses;
- 250,000 square feet for hotel/lodging
- 50,000 square feet for retail/food beverage
- 150,000 square feet for destination retail (Cabela’s/Outlet)
- 40,000 square feet for conference banquet space
- 60,000 square feet for entertainment/events venue
- 10,000 square feet for outdoor entertainment/amphitheater
- 4,000 parking spaces
The development would be phased, and the actual timing will vary based on the timing of the Illinois Gaming Board’s awarding of a gaming license for a Danville casino and other factors.
The preliminary time-table is calling for the construction of phase one to begin February 1st, 2021. The Certificate of Occupancy for the temporary casino is expected one year later on February 1st, 2022 according to information submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Certificate of Occupancy on the permanent casino is expected August 1st, 2023. And construction of a hotel and spa is expected to begin in February of 2023. It would be ready for occupancy in August of 2024.
Again, all of the above is preliminary and will likely change once the casino developer is selected according to information sent to the Commission. The Danville City Council is expected to hear a presentation on the proposed casino partner when it meets Tuesday, October 1st.
The City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building at 17 West Main. The Planning and Zoning Commission meets at that same building on Thursday, October 3rd at 5:15 p.m.
