Wild Rose filed an application in February with the Iowa Racing and Gaming for a casino development in Cedar Rapids. The filing references success in Jefferson in making the case for a proposed $40-million casino in Cedar Rapids, the state’s second-largest city.

Wild Rose plans for Cedar Rapids

By DOUGLAS BURNS
d.burns@carrollspaper.com

Wild Rose Jefferson has pulled customers from at least 30 states since opening in the summer of 2015.

In its application with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to develop a $40-million casino in Cedar Rapids, Wild Rose Casino and Resort boosts its case with references to successes in Jefferson — notably the tourism draw and serving as a catalyst for other development in and around Greene County.

Wild Rose, based in West Des Moines, operates casinos in Jefferson, Emmetsburg and Clinton.

In a February filing with the state, Wild Rose seeks to develop a “truly urban boutique casino” in downtown Cedar Rapids with developers Steve Emerson and Hunter Parks from that city.

The multi-floor structure would house 25,000 square feet of casino space with 600 slot machines and 20 table games planned. The venue has an expected capacity of 2,000 people.

In its application, Wild Rose says the casino would not contain a hotel, meeting area or restaurants. The plan aims to support existing businesses in what Wild Rose calls a dynamic downtown district.

What’s more, Wild Rose Cedar Rapids would attract convention-goers and other visitors to the state’s second-largest city, customers who likely would not travel to area casinos, thereby increasing overall state casino revenues, according to a Christensen Capital Advisors study.

Wild Rose Cedar Rapids would employ 225 people.

Should the gaming commission grant approval for Wild Rose Cedar Rapids, officials with the casino project an August groundbreaking with potential for a soft opening in the fall of 2018.

Horse and dog simulcast wagering planned for Wild Rose

Wild Rose Jefferson expects to have simulcast betting on dog and horse racing up and running this spring or summer, perhaps in time for at least part of the Triple Crown, general manager Travis Dvorak said Tuesday.

Wild Rose is testing the simulcast racing in Clinton, where it operates a casino. There will be no actual horse or dog track at Jefferson or Clinton. Rather, Wild Rose patrons will be able to gamble daily on horse and dog racing from around the nation through an arrangement with the Iowa Greyhound Association, which operates a track — The Iowa Greyhound Park — and provides live televised racing in Dubuque.

In the Jefferson casino, the races likely would be telecast in Coaches Corner. There also may be screens for viewing on the casino floor and kiosks for betting, Dvorak said during a Greene County Development Corporation meeting.

The simulcasting plan would mean that in addition to betting day-to-day tracks from Florida to California, Wild Rose patrons sitting in Jefferson could possibly watch and bet on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Breeders Cup and other top races.

Casinos in Iowa that don’t already simulcast races or the rights to run them, which includes all facilities except Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona and Horseshoe in Council Bluffs, are, under 2014 state legislation, allowed to ink deals with the Iowa Greyhound Association, which has a lease to run live dog races at a Dubuque track and simulcast horse and dog races from around the nation, state regulators say.

The simulcasting rights for the Iowa Greyhound Association emerged with a deal that allowed Horseshoe in Council Bluffs and Mystique in Dubuque to jettison live dog racing.

7 new businesses eyeing Greene County

These are busy days for Ken Paxton.

The Greene County Development Corporation executive director says interest in locating and expanding businesses in Greene County continues to run high.

Currently, he is working with seven businesses interested in locating in Greene County. Five of those are already interacting with the Small Business Administration about financing and plans, Paxton told the GCDC during an open meeting Tuesday afternoon.

One potential business: a new child-care facility under consideration by a couple.

“We’re going to start working with them a little bit,” Paxton said.

Contact Us

Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161