Council clears Des Plaines casino project for construction
The Des Plaines city council this week approved the final planned unit development for a 147,000-square-foot casino and entertainment complex at the northwest corner of River Road and Devon Avenue.
The development is targeted for about 20 acres fronting the Tri-State Tollway.
The city council dispensed with a second reading for the PUD and pushed the project through so its developer could start construction as soon as the site is ready.
Chicago-based casino developer Midwest Gaming & Entertainment broke ground on the project in April. Crews are demolishing buildings on-site and are almost done removing asbestos, said Michael Conlan, Des Plaines community and economic development director.
"They have applied for some of the initial permits," Conlan said. "They could start work anytime on the civil engineering and preparing for foundations for the structures that will be going up."
The largest structure on-site, the building at 3000 River Road, has not been razed. Before issuing a demolition permit, the city is awaiting the green light from Nicor confirming gas has been shut off to the building.
Not much has changed with the project since preliminary approval was granted.
The first phase of casino construction involves a 45,000-square-foot, single-level structure housing 1,200 gambling positions, and an attached five-story parking garage for 1,560 cars.
About 30,000 square feet of restaurants and bars and an additional 773 surface parking spaces also are planned in the first phase of development.
Future phases involve expansion of the casino building to add retail and restaurant uses, and construction of two new hotels, 11 and 15 stories high, with a second parking garage.
The city earlier approved a special zoning district for the project allowing variances from city code for taller parking garages, larger signage and increased building density.
The $445 million project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs, about 1,000 casino jobs, and more than $150 million in annual gambling tax revenue.
The developer anticipates the new casino will open by late summer 2011.