After more than a decade of political wrangling, court battles and delays, work was slated to begin Friday in Des Plaines on the site of a casino, the 10th and last gambling palace allowed by state law.
For local leaders, the benefits are expected to be worth millions in annual revenue, but the economic payoff also includes construction jobs and financial spillover to other businesses.
“This is going to be an economic engine for the whole region,” said Des Plaines Mayor Martin Moylan.
The casino’s prime location is a boon. The 21-acre site at Devon Avenue and Des Plaines River Road is 1 mile from O’Hare International Airport and 16 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The facility is expected to open late summer 2011.
The city expects Midwest Gaming and Entertainment LLC, the casino’s owner, to host several job fairs next year for companies seeking to provide services — from dry cleaning for uniforms and lighting services to supplying printing and paper needs — once the facility opens.
The casino’s final hurdle was overcome last week when Midwest Gaming secured $295 million in financing. Last month, the Illinois Gaming Board approved the firm’s financing package and received $47.5 million toward the down payment on the gaming license. An additional $75 million will be due once the casino opens.
The 147,000-square foot casino will feature 1,150 slot machines, 30 gaming tables, one or two restaurants and a parking deck. A second phase is expected to include retail stores and two high-rise hotels, but there is no set timetable for that construction.
The city has pledged to give the state $10 million each year as part of the casino deal.
Before the financial downturn last year, officials believed the city could receive about $25 million a year from the casino, but expectations have been scaled back.
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Des Plaines plans to distribute 40 percent of the net tax revenue it receives (estimated to be $5.5 million in first year) to at least 10 but no more than 25 of neediest communities in Cook County, according to Gene O’Shea, spokesman for the Illinois State Gaming Commission.
Officials don’t yet know what communities would be on that list, which they said likely would change every year.
Des Plaines officials say they haven’t set aside any of the anticipated earnings to fund specific projects, such as infrastructure improvements, and will wait until they have a better handle on how much the city will receive.
Although some revenue issues might still be murky, one thing is crystal clear: Some residents can expect traffic headaches during the next 18 months of construction.
River Road will receive a total makeover from Higgins Road to north of Touhy Avenue. The plan also calls for widening 1.5 miles to allow for the addition of a fifth lane.
“It’ll be a mess, but it will work itself out,” said Jon Duddles, the city’s assistant director of public works.
Some northwest suburban residents generally were optimistic about the casino and its impact but had a few reservations.
Gail King, a social worker from Park Ridge, said it might be a temporary boon, particularly in her field, and would bring people and money into the community. But she said she was skeptical the casino would prove beneficial in the long run.
“Gambling addiction is good for my business, but I don’t endorse the casino,” said King.”We do need the money, but gambling is just a vicious circle. We’re going to have treatment, and we’re going to have crime with it.”
A mile north of the casino site in Des Plaines, Tiffany’s Restaurant plans to extend its hours to accommodate the late-night gambling set.
“I think it will be great for a lot of businesses around here,” said Patrick Neri, 39, of Park Ridge, the restaurant’s host.
Iwona Benni, 45of Franklin Park, who has been a waitress at Tiffany’s for 11 years, hopes the casino will bring more customers, but she worries the potential influx of an unsavory element.
“A casino brings good things and bad things,” Benni said. “There are people spending money, but we don’t want people with gambling problems hanging around, and we don‘t want drunk drivers.”
Another area resident, Cheryl Poms is looking forward to a little after-work action when the casino opens.
“I’m glad we’re getting it,” said Poms, 52, of Lakemoor, a document control specialist for UOP Honeywell in Des Plaines. “You can go straight from work, it will be a good time. It‘s something to do.”