7 p.m. -
Wednesday's hearings wrapped up shortly after 5 p.m. when the review board held a 20-minute executive discussion under the guise of attorney client priviledge.
But Wednesday's hearings provided no shortage of story lines:
- The Speedway's announcement that they will seek a second race if its proposal is selected. Speedway officials have pulled the stunt before, when they offered last December to start construction immediately if their proposal was the only one endorsed by the Unified Government, despite having to go through another year of review.
- Speaking of the UG, three commissioners - Don DeSeure, Bill Miller and Ann Murguia - each recorded testimonials during Pinnacle's video presentation. The testimonials almost surely run afoul of state statues that prohibit officials from endorsing a specific proposal.
Pinnacle CEO Daniel Lee said there was a disclaimer that the three were speaking as community residents and not in a commissioner capacity, but review board member Jackie Vietti said she wasn't able to see it. Even then, the three commissioners were identified with the tag line, "Wyandotte County Commissioner."
I spoke with an official with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission about how the review board would find out if the three commissioners had violated the law - the violation is classified as a Class A misdemeanor - but the official said someone would have to formally file a complaint before action is taken.
- Pinnacle's presentation was almost just as much about the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Water Park. Schlitterbahn president Gary Henry said that although the most recent proposal of the project calls for 1,600 hotel rooms, that figure would likely drop to 1,000 hotel rooms if Pinnacle's casino proposal isn't selected.
The information isn't newsworthy by itself, though it does indicate that even if Pinnacle and Schlitterbahn are seperate entities pursuing different projects, their efforts have become tangled in a mess that will be potentially difficult to unravel.
That's a wrap for Wednesday. Nick and I will be back again tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. for the Golden Gaming presentation. A second presentation by Legends Sun is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Have a great night!
- Sam Hartle
2:15 p.m. - Public officials have been prohibited from advancing the interests of specific proposals in the casino review process, but that didn't stop Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon from essentially not endorsing Edwardsville's Golden Gaming proposal.
Reardon presented the UG's endorsement process from last fall as part of the review board's presentation.
But because of the prohibition on officials, Reardon advocated that the UG's process was very thorough and the three casino proposals that advanced past the UG's process are all legitimate proposals.
One review board member praised the UG for its process, saying that it was more detailed and professional than similar reviews from other gaming zones.
Edwardsville officials will present the background for their endorsement process for Golden Gaming tomorrow. Mayor William "Heinz" Rodgers, City Administrator Michael Webb and City Councilman Chuck Adams all plan to make the presentation, but because the city only has one proposal, it remains a legal fine line as to how the presentation doesn't specifically endorse Golden's efforts.
- Sam Hartle
1:22 p.m. - It took nearly three hours for officials from the Kansas Entertainment casino proposal to work through their presentation, including at least an hour of question and answers from the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board.
The review board quizzed the Speedway on survey results the casino group conducted earlier this year, asking whether race fans were a good fit to also be casino patrons.
“Actually, it’s the perfect compliment,” Cordish Principal Joe Weinberg said.
Pinnacle’s folks are now setting up for the afternoon presentation. Check back throughout the afternoon for further updates.
- Sam Hartle
12:10 p.m. – During its presentation, the Kansas Speedway offered some final goodies for the review board if it and Cordish are selected as Wyandotte County’s casino.
The Speedway said it would seek a second race for Kansas Speedway. If this scenario occurs, one of the current national speedways would lose its race.
Clearly, the Kansas Speedway upped its proposal quite a bit today. They are dangling a $100 million carrot in front of the commission. Estimations indicate a second race would cause an additional $110 million in economic development to the State of Kansas.
Could this be a preview for the other three?
– Nick Sloan
11:35 a.m. – NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer just concluded a press conference regarding his season and the announcement of a possible second race in Kansas.
Bowyer, a Kansas native, would relish a second race at Kansas Speedway.
“Kansas Speedway is my home track,” Bowyer said. “This is the track I want to win most. There’s not a racetrack that is more fan-friendly than Kansas Speedway because of its surroundings.
The possibility of a second race would come with a condition of the Kansas Speedway-Cordish project being selected as Wyandotte County’s casino.
– Nick Sloan
10:15 a.m. – There is no doubt the Kansas Speedway is playing its history in Wyandotte County as an advantage.
Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger led the hearings off by giving the history of the Speedway’s involvement in Wyandotte County.
“Kansas Speedway has been a great partner for the state and local government,” he said.
A recently study said the Speedway generates about a quarter of a billion dollars in terms of state economic impact.
Staff from the Speedway has also presented their case based on its history of charity and reaching out to minority businesses and employees.
Prior to the Cordish Company speaking, Kennedy presented a video on the “power” of NASCAR, touting its high brand name and large fan base.
–Nick Sloan
9:26 a.m. – After a bit of a delay, the hearings have started at KCKCC.
Matt All, chairman of the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, gave an opening statement about gaming in Wyandotte County.
“Wyandotte County has been the one constant in gaming over the course of time,” he said. “The people of Wyandotte County have shown the most leadership and patience.”
He said the board will make the decision on three points: which maximizes the most revenue, which can best increase tourism and which one is in the best interest for the people of Kansas.
The opening few moments of these hearings seem to just remind everyone of the situation in Wyandotte County.
– Nick Sloan
8:52 a.m. – A number of local dignatries are rolling in to the performing arts center. The Kansas Speedway has all of its key players here, including Kansas Speedway President Jeff Boerger. Members of the Unified Government have arrived to observe the hearings.
Some who are not connect to today’s hearings have also made it in. Kansas City, Kan., Fire Chief John Paul Jones is observing the meetings, along with Edwardsville Mayor William “Heinz” Rodgers. The City of Edwardsville has one casino proposal – Golden Heartland – and its hearing is tomorrow morning.
Today's hearings should begin in a matter of minutes.
–Nick Sloan
7:30 a.m. - A few weeks back, the three casino proposals vying for a license in Sumner County, Kan. pulled out all the stops in making their sales pitch to the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board.
Food Network Star Paula Deen was on hand to detail her planned restaurant as part of the Harrah's Entertainment casino proposal.
But will Wyandotte Countians see similar "celebrities" over the next two days?
International Speedway Corporation President Lesa France Kennedy will be on hand today to help present the Hard Rock casino proposal. Kennedy is also scheduled to hold a press conference after the presentation to make "an announcement."
Will Kennedy announce that lights will be installed at Kansas Speedway so it can host night races? Will it get a second NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race? Will officials announce the site for the future Victory Junction kids camp?
Kansas Speedway's presentation starts at 9 a.m., and with a scheduled noon-time break for lunch, we'll likely know the substance of Kennedy's "announcement" prior to the second presentation of the day at 1 p.m. by officials with Pinnacle Entertainment.
Check back later this morning for the latest from the review board's hearings.
- Sam Hartle
