Trump Unveils $123.5M Casino Proposal
Apr 28,
2004
Billionaire developer Donald Trump wants to build
a $123.5 million riverboat casino complex in
southern Indiana under a plan that would include
buying and restoring a historic hotel, his gaming
company says. Under a proposal released Monday,
Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts said its riverboat
complex would include a golf course, a restaurant
and employ about 600 people.
Trump's company is one of three bidders vying for
a riverboat casino license state regulators will
award later this year. The boat would be on a
waterway that would be dug between the French Lick
Springs Resort & Spa and the West Baden Springs
Hotel.
The two other gaming companies released their
plans on Friday, but Trump's was not released
until Monday. If the state chooses his plan, it
could open in early 2006.
Trump's proposal for the Trump Casino Orange
County casino would include buying and renovating
the historic West Baden Springs Hotel. The casino
complex would have 1,000 slot machines, 30
traditional gaming tables with blackjack, poker,
craps or roulette and a 12-table live poker room,
according to a statement released by Trump.
That statement said the casino complex would evoke
"the architectural grandeur of the late 1800s and
early 1900s."
Featuring ironwork, limestone and brick, it would
include ornate furnishings, a grand staircase,
vaulted ceiling and a five-story parking garage.
"We are very excited about this opportunity,"
Trump said in a statement. "In keeping with our
hard-earned reputation for exceptional facilities
and unequaled service, we have designed this
proposal to be first class in every way."
The Indiana Gaming Commission and a panel from
Orange County are negotiating with Trump and the
two other bidders for the state's final gambling
license. Last November, Orange County voters
overwhelmingly approved having a local casino.
Golfer Fuzzy Zoeller, the 2002 Senior PGA
Championship winner, has agreed to join Trump to
help develop and operate a "world-class" golf
course at the casino complex.
Among other things, Trump's plan includes a
proposal to provide the Indiana Railway Museum
with $287,500 to allow it to obtain about $1.15
million in state grants. Trump also wants to move
a railroad spur to lead directly into casino
property.
A group called Orange County Development LLC that
includes NBA legend Larry Bird has proposed
building as much as 50,000 square feet of casino
space with 1,200 slot machines, up to 24 table
games, three restaurants, a 600-seat showroom and
a Larry Bird Museum.
A group affiliated with a France-based operator of
international casinos said its proposal includes
"a nautically themed casino and restaurants" to be
built on an artificial waterway. That group, Lost
River Development LLC, said it would commit $40
million initially. |