Isle of Capri update

It seems such a short time ago when we were negotiating our development agreement with Isle of Capri and sitting in the chambers of the Missouri Gaming Commission anxiously awaiting their decision on the 13th license for the state of Missouri.

However, almost a year has passed since Isle of Capri and the city of Cape Girardeau were awarded the coveted 13th license. Much progress has been made during these months toward the much anticipated scheduled opening in December 2012. This is a good opportunity to update our citizens on current progress and activities at the site.

Approximately 70 properties have been acquired and razed. Several additional acres of unused property have been acquired and the initial leveling on the land has been completed by Kelly Construction. Many utilities have been relocated to accommodate the development.

Work is nearing completion on the relocated Main Street by Fronabarger Concreters. Main Street as it bends westward becomes Bend Road. Bend will then join the new improved Bend Road that is under construction as a TTF-3 street project. Lights will soon be installed along this new section of Main Street. It is anticipated that this relocated street will open in October. Bend Road should be open to Roberts Street in November. This is dependent on completion of flood damage work on Bend Road just north of the Sloan Creek Bridge.

There was a 2,500-yard concrete pour at the site during August that is the footprint and basin of the actual casino floor. This was the second-largest single pour in Cape Girardeau, exceeded only by the pour of the middle pier of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. The concrete was provided by Delta Concrete with many local concrete finishers working throughout the night to complete this large project. It was amazing to witness the logistics and coordination required for this single phase of the total $125 million project.

Piering of the entire site is nearing completion. This important phase of the project involved newer technology of using compressed stone and rock as the pier. Approximately 2,500 of these were necessary to provide stable footings for the buildings.

Citizens should see steel work rising from the site during November. Then our citizens can begin to see the construction move forward toward completion and opening.

The majority of the work will be done by local laborers along with several local subcontractors. These jobs will give way late next year to over 400 full- and part-time employees that will be hired by the Isle of Capri. This is a major factor in enhancing our area economy now and in the years ahead.

I am anxiously looking toward the completion and ribbon cutting next year.

See you there!

Harry E. Rediger is the mayor of Cape Girardeau.