After its initial casino proposal with Haven Gaming fell through, the City of Danville has a new casino operating partner, with a much different plan for the casino site.
Alderman voted 12-0 Tuesday night to enter into an agreement with Wilmorite Construction to design the second version of the new casino.
Company President Jimmy Wilmot said the new casino is proposed to be built at 204 Eastgate Drive, which is the site of a former Thyssenkrupp warehouse. The new casino would be built in three phases, with plans for 500 slot machines and 10 gaming tables in the first phase, along with four dining venues and a steakhouse. The second phase would be built 24 months after the initial casino opened, with the third phase 24 months after that. A hotel and an expanded site would be planned for the final phase. An access road would connect the new casino to Lynch Road.
Per the plans of the developers, the second and third phases would need to include land closer to Interstate 74, but Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says Wilmorite does not have expansion site picked out yet.
Wilmot said the casino would bring 600 permanent jobs to the Danville area.
The company will pay upfront amounts totaling $3 million to nonprofits and other projects in Danville, with $1 million each to the Riverfront Development Project, Boys and Girls Club and for municipal improvements.
A total of $300,000 will be paid annually to entities in Danville. Mayor Williams says this will break down as follows:
- $100,000 to United Way
- $50,000 to Fischer Theatre
- $50,000 to Danville Area Community College
- $50,000 to Vermilion Advantage
- $25,000 to Danville Fire Department
- $25,000 to Danville Police Department
Company officials explained that the smaller site was chosen because investors are budgeting $100 million for the first phase of construction, and Wilmot says more can be built by renovating a site.
Audio Player“We can build 500 slots, 10 tables, 42,000 square feet, a food court, a steakhouse as well as 10 table games,” he said.
Wilmot also said the smaller site would allow for a faster construction schedule, with the site being level and most utilities already on-site other than a sewer project, which would reduce costs.
Tinisha Shade-Spain, the interim president of Vermilion Advantage, said the new casino could bring more restaurants to Lynch Road—something that the area does not have.
Audio Player“Even though we’ve got 3,000 people that work out in that corridor and 25,000 to 30,000 people a day that come by on (Interstate) 74, it’s the rooftops that they’re after,” she explained. “I think if we get this development out there, it will definitely change their minds.”
Wilmot said the company projects to spend $30 million before even the first phase of construction begins, and he said $100 million is expected to be spent on the first part of the casino—if it is approved.
Alderman Mike Puhr said he liked the fact that the company was on solid footing in its bid proposal, versus multiple changes in the previous company (Haven Gaming) that the city went through before. Even so, Alderman R.J. Davis, who left the meeting before the vote was cast, expressed concern about the company paying what it is supposed to.
Audio Player“I get sick and tired of organizations coming, that want to come and bring money to this town,” Davis said. “We need money. All cities need money. But at least stick to your word.”
Wilmot said the company is committed to hiring 40 percent women, 30 percent minorities and five percent veterans to work at the proposed casino.
He said Wilmorite plans to submit its application to the Illinois Gaming Board as soon as possible. Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said the casino proposal will first go before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, September 3rd, then to the city council later that month.
Wilmot said construction would likely begin sometime next year, after he said the gaming board would likely approve it sometime next spring in his estimation.
Wilmorite Construction has helped construct casinos in California and Oklahoma as well as several shopping malls throughout the country. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York.
