Cedar Rapids, Iowa – The construction is underway for the Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center after more than a decade of developers’ efforts.
A revolutionary ceremony took place on Friday morning on the old Cooper’s Mill site on the west side of the Cedar River.
It is estimated that it would report an additional $ 60 million per year to Iowa and more than $ 6 million will go to local non -profit organizations each year.
For more than a decade, Justin Shields says he has pleaded for a casino in Cedar Rapids. Now he witnesses the inauguration of something he says – is about to be a huge success.
“People try to tell me that there was no desire for this form of entertainment. I knew better because I studied it,” said Shields. “I knew that once you had something like that in Cedar Rapids, it would explode. This is a big problem.”
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell says that many research is entering the location of the casino on the west side. She says that the place embraces the Cedar river and city efforts to improve flood protections.
“Whether it is a casino or another $ 275 million entertainment center, it is an important addition to our city,” said O’Donnell. “For this property which was vacant, unleashed, cleared in 2008, it is a new life.”
O’Donnell said it was a long road to get here, but it was the “boastful” residents of Cedar Rapids who sealed the agreement for the casino to be built.
“Whether we loved the game or not, we understood that our city deserved this project and deserved all the advantages that would come with this project,” said Mayor O’Donnell. “People have risen straight, gave their shoulders and all walked in the same direction.”
Now, the crews are getting to work on the establishment, which Shields says he is delighted to see.
“Many people told me that it would never happen. Abandon. It will never happen,” said Shields. “I never stopped, and one day has arrived.”
The developers said they planned to open the doors to Cedar Crossing on December 31, 2026.