Waukegan OKs repurposing temporary casino as exhibition hall: ‘There are a lot of events you could have there’

After initially planning to remove its 70,000-square-foot temporary casino when its permanent Waukegan casino opens, Daniel Lee, the CEO of American Place owner Full House Resorts, came to realize the value of the provisional structure during its three years of operation.

Lee said there are a lot of uses for the current temporary building when Phase 1 of the 200,000-square-foot permanent casino opens nearby in the summer of 2028. He sees it as an exhibition hall with numerous other possibilities.

“You could have a boat show or an RV show,” Lee said during an interview before Monday’s Waukegan City Council meeting. “You could have a Christmas extravaganza or concerts. A skating rink would fit inside. There are a lot of events you could have there.”

When the city first approved Full House’s $500 million development — the most expensive in Waukegan’s history — the city and Full House signed a development agreement. Among its terms, the temporary casino was to be removed before the permanent facility opened.

With soil testing underway and construction ready to move into high gear in August, Lee said at a meeting of the council’s Community Development Committee, a modified contract was needed.

“We realized the agreement we have with the city was drawn up at a time when we didn’t have the 10 acres opposite Walmart, and we didn’t have a temporary casino on the site,” Lee said to the committee. “The site plan you approved has the casino facing in another direction.”

The City Council unanimously approved the necessary amendments to the Development and Host Community Agreement between the city and Full House Monday at City Hall, giving American Place the right to keep the temporary structure, along with other adjustments.

Converting the temporary casino into an exhibition hall could draw more people to the facility and the city. Lee said he does not yet know if there is a market for an exhibition hall with boat shows in Waukegan, but he has two years to do the necessary research.

“We’ll hire somebody to do the marketing, get out in the area and find out if there is a need for an exhibition hall,” he said.

Mayor Sam Cunningham said after the meeting he likes the possibility of a large exhibit hall adjacent to the new permanent casino. He is also pleased construction of the permanent building is taking place.

“I’m so glad we’re getting to the final stages of this long-awaited project,” he said. “The Temporary can be repurposed for a major event venue at the casino. I believe it will be a good addition, and I encourage it. I really love the innovation.”

When the permanent casino opens, it will have 1,250 slot machines and 65 table games. Jeff Babinski, American Place’s vice president and general manager, said the temporary currently has 905 slot machines and 48 table games.

Among the slot machines and table games, Lee said there are tables for “high rollers” who want to place larger bets when they play blackjack, roulette or craps.

Another change from the original plan for the permanent facility is a switch from four full-service restaurants to three eateries and a dining hall. Lee said the dining hall will have a variety of meal options and an opportunity for families to dine without actually entering the gaming area.

Featured in the food hall will be a sushi bar, a coffee bar, Italian food, Mexican dishes and hamburgers. Lee said the sushi bar is designed to have counters on each side. One will be inside the gaming area of the casino, and the other will have no exit to the gambling area.

The full-service restaurants include a “high-end” eatery with a menu similar to the current North Shore Steak and Seafood in the temporary casino. Lee said there will also be a restaurant devoted to casual dining, which will be arranged for families, like the sushi bar.

Shortly after the permanent casino opens, Lee said a five-star boutique suite hotel will open. It is designed in Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie style.”

When Phase 2 of the project is built, Lee said it will have an entertainment venue with seating for 1,500. Phase 3 will include a parking garage, while Phase 4 will be a four-star hotel with between 150 and 400 rooms. Later phases are also in the works.