Casino developers have until Thursday at 2 p.m. to turn in proposals to the state and those closest to the issue are hopeful an extension won’t be needed this time around.
The deadline for applications in the South Central Gaming Zone will be July 22, but if there are no applications received by that time, an extension will automatically take place. The extended deadline would be 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 28.
Director of Gaming Facilities for the Kansas Lottery Keith Kocher said at a recent meeting he is hopeful the South Central Gaming Zone will see not only one application by the July 22 deadline, but at least two.
“I’ll tell you very clearly, we do expect applications, more than one application in that zone...” Kocher said.
He isn’t the only one expecting proposals to come in on Thursday.
“It’s imperative that it’s not extended. I do believe ... that there is going to be at least one bid for Exit 19. So we are ... cautiously optimistic about that opportunity and we will proceed accordingly,” Wellington City Manager Gus Collins said.
Collins says he has been in contact with State Rep. Vince Wetta (D-Wellington), who has in turn been in contact with the Gov. Mark Parkinson. He says no one wants to see the deadline extended.
“We’re very hopeful that we will be in the running for this round three and with at least one bid. Our concentration is Exit 19,” Collins said.
Sumner County Economic Development Director Janice Hellard says she expects at least three proposals in the South Central Zone with at least one each at Mulvane and Wellington.
“I don’t think we will need that extension,” Hellard said.
After two rounds of casino proposals, she says she is hopeful Sumner County could still get a world-class operation.
“Hopefully we will get a quality casino...and be well on the way to starting it before the legislature starts in January,” Hellard said.
Mulvane City Manager Kent Hixson says he’s been speaking with representatives from various architecture firms and an official from Harrah’s.
“Mostly it’s just e-mailing them information from previous studies,” Hixson said.
Harrah’s said they were interested in Exit 33, but it was dependent on the availability of land, Hixson said.
The city manager says he’s hopeful to get proposals in round three, but isn’t stressing over it.
“It’s one of those deals that you don’t think about. You put it out of your mind and you’ll read it in the newspaper like everybody else,” Hixson said.
Hixson maintains Mulvane is the best location for a casino.
“If they are going to have a casino in the South Central Zone ... we think that the closer you get it to Wichita, the more productive it will be for the state and Sumner County,” Hixson said. “I can certainly appreciate where Wellington is coming from. For Wellington itself, for the economic vitality of the community, it’s the best place for it, but for the best production in terms of the state, in terms of revenue and for Sumner County, Exit 33 has the great potential for development and the greater potential to make more revenue.”
The ideal situation would be multiple proposals in both locations, with the Sumner county Commissioner endorsing all sites and leaving it up to the state, Hixson said.
“Let the process play out,” he said For the latest breaking news on the casino issue, check back with www.wellingtondailynews.com.
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Casino developers have until Thursday at 2 p.m. to turn in proposals to the state and those closest to the issue are hopeful an extension won’t be needed this time around.
The deadline for applications in the South Central Gaming Zone will be July 22, but if there are no applications received by that time, an extension will automatically take place. The extended deadline would be 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 28.
Director of Gaming Facilities for the Kansas Lottery Keith Kocher said at a recent meeting he is hopeful the South Central Gaming Zone will see not only one application by the July 22 deadline, but at least two.
“I’ll tell you very clearly, we do expect applications, more than one application in that zone...” Kocher said.
He isn’t the only one expecting proposals to come in on Thursday.
“It’s imperative that it’s not extended. I do believe ... that there is going to be at least one bid for Exit 19. So we are ... cautiously optimistic about that opportunity and we will proceed accordingly,” Wellington City Manager Gus Collins said.
Collins says he has been in contact with State Rep. Vince Wetta (D-Wellington), who has in turn been in contact with the Gov. Mark Parkinson. He says no one wants to see the deadline extended.
“We’re very hopeful that we will be in the running for this round three and with at least one bid. Our concentration is Exit 19,” Collins said.
Sumner County Economic Development Director Janice Hellard says she expects at least three proposals in the South Central Zone with at least one each at Mulvane and Wellington.
“I don’t think we will need that extension,” Hellard said.
After two rounds of casino proposals, she says she is hopeful Sumner County could still get a world-class operation.
“Hopefully we will get a quality casino...and be well on the way to starting it before the legislature starts in January,” Hellard said.
Mulvane City Manager Kent Hixson says he’s been speaking with representatives from various architecture firms and an official from Harrah’s.
“Mostly it’s just e-mailing them information from previous studies,” Hixson said.
Harrah’s said they were interested in Exit 33, but it was dependent on the availability of land, Hixson said.
The city manager says he’s hopeful to get proposals in round three, but isn’t stressing over it.
“It’s one of those deals that you don’t think about. You put it out of your mind and you’ll read it in the newspaper like everybody else,” Hixson said.
Hixson maintains Mulvane is the best location for a casino.
“If they are going to have a casino in the South Central Zone ... we think that the closer you get it to Wichita, the more productive it will be for the state and Sumner County,” Hixson said. “I can certainly appreciate where Wellington is coming from. For Wellington itself, for the economic vitality of the community, it’s the best place for it, but for the best production in terms of the state, in terms of revenue and for Sumner County, Exit 33 has the great potential for development and the greater potential to make more revenue.”
The ideal situation would be multiple proposals in both locations, with the Sumner county Commissioner endorsing all sites and leaving it up to the state, Hixson said.
“Let the process play out,” he said For the latest breaking news on the casino issue, check back with www.wellingtondailynews.com.
