Hunter
06/24/20
A piece of vacant land earmarked for a Cedar Rapids casino before regulators refused to grant a license twice may be developed into an entertainment center.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that partners in a proposal to build movie theatres, a brewery, a family fun center and other venues on 8 acres at First Street and First Avenue West remain interested in pursuing the project despite uncertainty from the coronavirus pandemic.
Tbe LLC submitted the proposal for the area at the end of February…then the pandemic hit. Nevertheless, the City Council passed a resolution Tuesday directing the city manager and staff to proceed with setting public financial incentives for the up to $100 million proposal after hearing from the developing parties.
The resolution passed 8-1, with Mayor Brad Hart recusing himself due to a relationship with one of the investors. Council member Scott Olson is urging caution, saying the city needs to make sure the project is done right and doesn’t cause a problem for the city and/or developers in the future.