Danville mayor Rickey Williams, Jr is calling a decision released by the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Danville a “David Versus Goliath” victory for the city over Mervis Industries.
When Danville first looked into establishing land for a future casino, the originally proposed location would have been on land owned by Mervis Industries. However, the two parties could not agree on a price for the city’s purchase of the land.
Eventually, the city settled on what became the current location of Golden Nugget casino, 204 Eastgate Drive in Danville.
Mervis Industries later filed a lawsuit challenging the zoning petition that allowed for the zoning change permitting the casino to be built. (Mervis Industries also filed a restraining order attempting to stop the construction of the casino, which was turned down by a Coles County Court in May of 2022.) The aforementioned court decision ruled in favor of the City of Danville, stating that the plaintiff had “failed to show” that the city’s actions were “facially unconstitutional or unreasonable.”
Mayor Williams, who is currently out of town, released the following statement:
“In a David versus Goliath like battle over the future of the city and who will rule it, the people or special interests, the City of Danville has prevailed! We are thrilled that Judge Bovard issued a motion for summary judgment dismissing Mervis Industries’ unfounded claims regarding zoning of the Golden Nugget Danville.”
