Kehl to update casino board on Davenport project

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The agenda for this week's meeting of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission doesn't specifically include an update on plans for a land-based Davenport casino, but the man leading the project says don't read much into that.

Dan Kehl, owner of Riverside Casino and Resort, said Friday he forgot to ask for time in front of the commission but said he will provide the panel with an update at the meeting on Thursday. That could occur during a Riverside presentation on several contracts commissioners must approve or during public comment.

"We made good progress in the last week," he said. "Things are moving ahead as planned."

Riverboat Development Authority president Mary Ellen Chamberlin said she expected an update to be presented at this month's meeting and a formal presentation of the purchase of the Rhythm City casino and plans for a $110 million land-based casino and hotel to be made in November.

"They intend to present the proposal in November," Chamberlin said Friday. "I think he wants to be more prepared for the future when he presents it."

Kehl's Scott County Casino LLC and Isle of Capri, which owns the Rhythm City, have an Oct. 15 deadline to execute a sale option agreement. The oversight on asking for time to provide an update shouldn't give hope to a rival group that made a last-minute pitch for a casino and hotel as part of a 10-year, $250 million proposal for Davenport.

"This deal is going to get done," Kehl said. "We plan on being on their (IRGC) agenda in November with a contract and our plans."

The Racing and Gaming Commission would have to approve the operator agreement with the RDA, which holds the license for the Rhythm City, and the $51 million purchase of the Rhythm City from the Isle of Capri. If those are presented in November, they would likely be voted on by the commission at its Jan. 9 meeting at the Isle of Capri Waterloo casino.

The RDA approved an agreement with Scott County Casino in September, a little more than a week after Davenport Casino Group made a competing $250 million land-based casino proposal. Davenport Casino Group includes local developer Rodney Blackwell and Toronto-based equity company Clairvest.

The Davenport City Council considered development agreements with both developers, but aldermen approved the Scott County Casino agreement and tabled the other agreement at its Sept. 25 meeting.

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