SIOUX CITY | Downtown Sioux City business owners say they're hopeful the proposed Hard Rock Casino will bring new opportunities to their neighborhood.

After months of uncertainty, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission on Thursday voted 3-2 to award a state gaming license to the developer of a Hard Rock-branded casino and hotel.

The $118.5 million project centered on the historic Battery Building, 410 Water St., should bring more traffic to the area, said Tim Engle, owner of A1 Auto Service, 404 Water St.

“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “I’m glad the decision has been made.”

Plans call for a casino and hotel complex built on approximately three blocks of downtown Sioux City between Third and Fourth streets, bounded by Wesley Parkway and Douglas Street.

The proposal, with an 800-slot, 32-table gaming floor, beat out three other land-based casino proposals bidding to replace the Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino.

Stoney Creek Inn General Manager Jenn Pavone said she’s eager for construction to begin and looks forward to adding to her company’s 46-employee roster. Staff at the hotel, at 300 Third St. will manage a hotel for the casino.

“I see it as a positive not just for us, but the other hoteliers in the community because I have a feeling we’re going to need every hotel room in Sioux City,” Pavone said.

Hard Rock's investment will likely spur more investment from developers who were waiting to see which casino site was chosen, said Sioux City developer and state Sen. Rick Bertrand

"I think what it does is, it pushes a lot of people off the bench," he said.

He said it also takes advantage of money his company, Alleycat Holdings, and the city of Sioux City have already spent revitalizing the neighborhood.

The city of Sioux City already has invested more than $2.4 million into improving Pearl Street and the streetscape.

Bertrand estimated he's spent another $2 million buying and developing run-down buildings on Pearl Street. He operates McCarthy & Bailey's Irish Pub, Pearl's Wine & Booze and The Big Snug -- all in the 400 block of Pearl Street. Plans call for another night club at 415 Pearl St.

The project will also create a new opportunity -- a new location -- for Milwaukee Wiener House. The business at 309 Pearl St. will move across the street to make way for the casino.

Owners say fans of the restaurant’s fare shouldn’t worry: They’ll still be able to get Milwaukee's famous hot dogs and chili dogs at the new location.

“We’ve done it for 95 years,” co-owner Mike Eliades said. “Why change?”