Unanimous decision

A casino locating in Cape Girardeau has been discussed and debated for nearly two decades, and the most recent process of determining which community and casino applicant would receive the state's final license was nothing short of thorough.

Cape Girardeau citizens had the opportunity to vote on whether they support the operation of a casino in the city. After a spirited but respectful debate, which took place on these pages and throughout the community, voters resoundingly said yes: 61 to 39 percent. The result removed a question before the State Gaming Commission of whether Cape Girardeau welcomed the effort.

Cape's vote, however, was only one part of the process. The gaming commission, under the steady chairmanship of former senator Jim Mathewson, held hearings at all of the prospective locations, and the department of economic development studied the economic benefits from each proposal. In the end, the commission unanimously selected Isle of Capri's $125 million development plan for Cape Girardeau. Mathewson, who cited Isle of Capri's strong record as a corporate citizen, deserves credit for leading the state's thorough evaluation process.

Also deserving credit for helping to bring one of the largest developments in its history to Cape Girardeau is Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger and businessmen Jim Riley and David Knight. Riley and Knight, through their company Dream Big LLC, lived up to their firm's name. In the end, though, even an ideal location is only as good as the developer and its development plan, and the commission's vote was a powerful endorsement of the Isle of Capri, which is headquartered in Missouri and already operates three casinos in the state.

Demolition of some of the dilapidated homes in the area of the future casino has already begun. The development of a long-term plan for roads and other infrastructure is also upon a fast track. This is the beginning of the $125 million project, which the state gaming commission will watch closely to ensure comes to fruition as promised. Not including construction work, the casino will bring 450 jobs to the local area and an estimated $20 million in annual revenue to the state, plus other local taxes and benefits.

The casino development does not come without some mixed emotions. While the economic indicators say this development will benefit the city, we should also be sensitive that a downside of a local casino is that some citizens unable to control themselves will succumb to addiction. Cape Girardeau, its churches and social agencies should be ready and willing to help those who need to reform. But that problem, at least as it is tied specifically to this development, is farther in the future.

Cape Girardeau should be proud that the State Gaming Commission evaluated strong proposals in Kansas City and St. Louis and decided that Cape Girardeau was its first choice. The fact that studies indicated a new casino at one of the other locations would cannibalize existing operations played a major part in the unanimity. Still, the final decision is also a testament to the vitality of this region -- and the benefits of a destination site in the city's downtown to the economic interests of the entire state.