Bally’s Corporation has decided to play two hands in the high-stakes bet for a Chicago casino license, with the gambling operator submitting two proposals for the venue.
The two bids are part of the overall number of five that were submitted to Chicago’s Mayor Lori Lightfoot in October. As revealed by executives from the gambling company, either one of the projects will be able to take advantage of the “economic sleeping giants” in the sites that would potentially host the casino venue. The director of corporate development for the gambling operator, Chris Jewett, said that the company did not have any preferences on one of the two sites.
One of the company’s proposals already faces fierce opposition from a South Side Alderperson who has been an opponent of the development of a casino to their ward for years. The other proposal made by Bally’s Corporation has faced a warm welcome by another member of the Chicago City Council, who believes the addition of a new gambling venue to the region would be great.
Bally’s Corporation has also revealed its intentions to invest a total of $1.6 billion for the long-desired in Chicago that has been pursued by Mayor Lori Lightfoot as a potential source of fresh revenue that would bring more money to Chicago police and firefighter pension funds.
One Chicago Casino Bid Faces Stiff Opposition from Local Alderperson
The two casino proposals are now under review by Mayor Lightfoot’s office.
One of the proposals is supposed to see a casino construction on the 28-acre truck marshaling yard in close proximity to 31st Street and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The site, however, has long been declared off-limits for the development of a potential casino venue by Ald. Sophia King. According to her, the site in question should be eliminated immediately from consideration when it comes to the casino expansion that has been coveted by Chicago mayors.
Ald. King also noted that since the beginning of the process, the local community has been absolutely clear that they do not want to have a casino established there. According to her, such a move would be done at the expense of the communities in the region, especially the ones that are more disadvantaged.
A much warmer welcome has been given to the other casino project unveiled by Bally’s Corporation for the Freedom Center at Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue. Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. has described the site as an ideal spot for such a gambling and entertainment venue that is supposed to bring more visitors to the area. He further noted that such an endorsement would bring a lot of jobs to the neighborhood.
Bally’s Corporation revealed that the company would roll out a temporary casino site adjacent to the Freedom Center location, while a permanent casino is built. In case the River West project of the company is given the green light, the plant that hosts the Chicago Tribune newsroom and is owned by Nexstar Media Group would have to be demolished.
Bally’s Director of corporate development Chris Jewett has explained that the company is envisioning two very similar amenities in their two bids. Both projects would include a casino, a luxury hotel, green spaces, a number of indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, several dining areas, as well as a Chicago sports museum.
