Sedgwick County commissioners took a noticeable step back from gaming this week when they called off a request for proposals for the Kansas Coliseum that focused exclusively on casino projects. With an anti-casino campaign gearing up, it appears commissioners are feeling political heat and nervous about being identified as pro-gaming.
At any rate, it makes sense to get other proposals about the future of the Coliseum site. As Commissioner Tim Norton said, "We’ve kind of gotten off on gaming, but we need to think about other options."
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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52 Comments
I still think the property might be good for a warehouse/distribution center. Good rail and highway access.
Whatever happens the County will need to find a way to unload it.
Run, politican, run! The christian crazies are after you. Hey, I know, the county commissioners can prohibit abortions within 10 miles of a casino. That’ll win over the reigious right. Sure!
You may be onto something there thinkfirst.
Perhaps Tiller and Best Buy can partner up and open up a one stop shopping in the Coliseum. I-Phones and Play Stations in the front, amniotic fluid and particles of flesh in the back.
Khahn ….now that was just plain gross!!!! I see no reason why there should not be a casino.It would save alot of people I know from going to Oklahoma.All these hypocritical church goers need to get a life and butt out from everyone else’s. I don’t need nor want the Rev.Joe Schmoe to tell me what I have to do with my life and money. And as far as the uproar with the native americans…there should be none.I come from native american blood and I don’t feel we have to own the monopoly on the gaming industry.
Native American eh AH?
Evidently you’re not N.A. enough to reap some of the benefits from places like the Kaw Casino in Oklahoma or the Casino White Cloud, Golden Eagle Casino, Harrah’s Prairie Band Casino and the Sac & Fox Casino in Kansas.
Wrong tribe maybe? Or perhaps your blood isn’t thick enough in N.A. to know the White Man’s attempt to put casinos all around Kansas and Oklahoma is stealing directly (once again) out of the pockets of the real Native Americans.
Interesting ‘near downtown’ casino idea:
Ruffin chooses Delano for possible casino siteWichita billionaire casino owner Phil Ruffin has about 5 acres of land under contract at the northwest corner of Douglas and McLean Boulevard in Delano for a casino.
The land is Ruffin’s top choice, if he is approved as a casino operator. But if not, he said, it’s an excellent area for other commercial development.
Ruffin expects to be allowed to submit a casino proposal, but must get state approval because he also owns the Wichita Greyhound Park. The casino law approved this spring forbids the owner of a racetrack from being the casino owners.
But Ruffin wants to be the minority partner in a casino, with Donald Trump as the majority partner.
Sedgwick County voters will vote Aug. 7 on whether to allow a casino and also whether to allow slot machines at the racetrack.
For more on the story, see Friday’s Eagle.
http://www.kansas.com/news/updates/story/120818.html
“…Kansas and Oklahoma is stealing directly (once again) out of the pockets of the real Native Americans.”
If only the Indians would have had a bigger defense budget.
A casino in / near downtown Wichita will turn dwntwn into a carney / honky tonk like Fremont Street in Vegas. Build a resort / casino / mini convention center west of town, near the airport, with access to a golf course — it will make it more of a destination casino. Make no small plans, go big or stay home —-
If we have a Casino downtown, you won’t even know there is one there. People have the assumption that a Casino in downtown Wichita will be like an Indian Casino with flashing banners that say “Casino” “Huge Payouts” “Million dollar winners”
The only thing you will see is a hotel high rise and a parking garage. It will be like looking at the Hyatt or the Broadview hotel. You won’t be able to tell if there is a casino unless you step inside into the casino floor.
Ruffin won’t win control of all slots in this County.
Joe! Have they published drawings to show us what they would be? Hard and fast designs, not simply some sort of ‘blue cloud’ idea.
Mrage - how do you know that? Do you have it in writing?
Ben,
Why would Ruffin win. He’s paid more in Topeka than anyone else?
Would you want him to control all the slots? Competition doesn’t mean anything?
Topeka is smarter than that.
For months he didn’t want any part of the state owned casino’s, what has changed now?
He allowed himself to be written out of the Casino legislation.
“Would you want him to control all the slots? Competition doesn’t mean anything?”
I NEVER SAID I WANT HIM TO HAVE IT. I SIMPLY ASKED HOW YOU ARE SO SURE. ‘ONCE BURNED TWICE CAUTIOUS’
“Topeka is smarter than that.”
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
WHO DO YOU WANT TO DO IT; THE CANADIENS? AS YOU KNOW, THEY WANT C-II; YOUR CLAIMS OTHERWISE NOTWITHSTANDING.
“He allowed himself to be written out of the Casino legislation.”
ACTUALLY, OFFICIALS HAVE SAID PRECISELY THE OPPOSITE.
The one thing you can say about Ruffin is that he is the only local guy putting the money up. Everybody else is out of state or out of the country.
Ruffin’s cut of the Sedgwick County Casino earning along with the slots at the Greyhound Park and the Fontenac(wrong spelling) track, at least he would spend his money here. He basically owns a but load of property around the city. His headquarters is here, he lives here, and cares about our community, he has allowed many properties from becoming blighted. He’s probably the best choice. If the Casino profits are going to somebody, might as well be him, it stays local.
Very good points Joe. And that Delano site is intriguing.
(By the way, I think you meant ‘prevented’ not ‘allowed’ above. Been doing to much proof-reading or articles lately. ;^))
proof-reading of articles?
Yeah! I would think that the Delano site might be an interesting one. This could possibly start a building and business boom in the Delano area. I know they re-did Delano not too long ago, and I’m a person that is not keen on historical preservation, because it’s ridiculous and serves no function and it greatly deters progress.
Oh great! Just remember something. Freakin Jwink lives in Delano. Dammit! He’s going to be all over the CasiNO campaign like gnats at a BBQ.
Get ready for lengthy, incoherent and repetitive post like spam mail in an inbox.
Wonder if he would be keen to a Wal-Mart being built in Delano?
If Ruffin believed in state owned casino’s he would positioned himself better.
Trump would be the “owner”. Ruffin could operate the casino building.
He owns two dog tracks, with how many slots would that be. Plus the Casino in this county?
That’s too many in his hands, Topeka knows that.
Canadians wouldn’t be so involved with the City if they were a financial fraud.
Yea, I have a bunch to proof and I hate it! Content yes, spelling???
An intriguing idea to me would be a ‘Delano-style’ joint - remember that was the old ‘wild side’ of Wichita.
There is an old hotel I stopped at in Cody WY; the main dining room looks like the old saloon you see in the movies - high ceiling, mirrors, etc. There is another casino I stopped at once along I-80 in Nevada that, from the outside, looks ‘old west’
Over the past several years I have made it a point to stop in and look at these places. This gives me ideas to compare with. I have seen inconspicuous ones; I have seen garish ones.
Unfortunately we have no idea what a developer might have in store for Wichita if this passes. That is part of the reason for my prediction.
“Canadians wouldn’t be so involved with the City if they were a financial fraud.”
DID SOMEONE SAY THEY WERE A FRAUD? I MUST HAVE MISSED THAT.
I don’t know Ben! Haven’t somebody already tried the old “western theme” “wild west” concept at an amusement park that didn’t last 48 days?
Very different idea Joe. The interior would be classic modern casino. My thing would be an exterior architecture.
as I have said… if I could vote for a specific plan than I might think about voting yes… but I refuse to give the county and state another blank check to screw up like they did on the arena…
tony - as I have said, that is one of the ‘big three’ reasons for my prediction.
Remember Dave Bayouth’s arena over the river drawing. That was on the Eagle front page.
We’re likely to get drawings of Casino plans in the paper before the vote. We’ll have ideas what’s being voted for.
Ruffin just now picking Delano arena better get someone drawing his casino building in that location.
Add a hotel if that’s the imagination.
We saw the Canadians picture of what they want.
Bob Knight’s group has drawings. Maybe he won’t promote it will be in Park City so much.
Anti-casino better stop those drawings because they show so much promise, how grand the Casino could be. Drawings could lead to more Yes voters.
“Anti-casino better stop those drawings because they show so much promise, how grand the Casino could be.”
AND HOW DO YOU PROPOSE THEY DO THAT? BLOW UP THEIR OFFICES?
Mrage, it is not up to anyone to STOP the drawings; it is up to the promoters to START them.
Ruffin does not call Kansas home. He considers Nevada home. So all of the companies will be from out of state or out of country.
Ben,
You know how anti-Wichitans make the front page. They hold press conferences and meetings, invite the media, but not Mayor Brewer.
Some big head and belly, he/she knows all the wrong with a civic improvement project.
The anti-young people are surprising. They don’t drink and party?
They would rather sit a home than go to the Arena or Casino. Casino’s have shows and concerts. Eat in a great restaurant. Never forced to gamble!
More anti meetings and the media invited might keep pictures of the Casino ideas off the front pages.
There should be a pro casino push week and days before the election.
Where’s the pro-casino campaign? There’s only a few weeks left to go til the election, and nary a whisper has been heard. Are the people running the campaign even competent???
“You know how anti-Wichitans make the front page”
Anti-Wichitans like Russ Meyer, Charlie Chandler, Russ Meyer etc? Are those your new Wichita’haters Mrage? In case you have failed to notice these people give of themselves to help the community.
Unlike you.
MY PREDICTIONS:
Why the Casino vote will fail:
This does not represent so much my preferences but rather my predictions on the up-coming casino vote. I think it will be defeated; there are several reasons for this.
1. The ‘religious right’.
This group of people, led by Mark Kahrs, is powerful beyond its numbers. The reason: THEY WILL TURN OUT AND VOTE. Let us assume, just for the sake of discussion, that this group is 10% of the public and that half of them vote. That means a 5% vote NO from that group. With overall turnout at less than 20% this gives the “NO” vote a good start.
2. The Arena effect
This one is a lot different and effects different people. Polls (KWCH and the Eagle) have shown that 2/3 of Sedgwick County residents have turned against the Arena. Many of the same people who are pushing the casino “Vote YesYesWinWin” are those who pushed the Arena “Vote Yea!” campaign. The sour feeling many people have about the cost overruns with the arena will spill over to the casino effort; a sort of “guilt by association”.
3. Uncertainty of location
This feeds off #2. Many people support a casino with particular locations in mind. There are those who are adamant that it be downtown and nowhere else. There are others who worry that a casino downtown might be a bad idea. This is exacerbated by the talk – even though denied – of selling Century II to a casino developer. Since C-II has been Wichita’s center for the performing arts and for other uses the loss of that facility concerns many people. Promises that it will not be sold or that it would be replaced if sole ring hollow; there is not much trust any more.
4. Business leaders.
Many respected business leaders such as Russ Meyers and Charles Chandler and others have come out against a downtown casino. These people command a fair amount of respect in Wichita; it will be difficult for the casino crowd to label them “Wichita-haters” or “CAVE people.” Many otherwise undecided voters will look at them and ask themselves “What have they figured out about this proposal that convinces them it is bad for Wichita?”
5. Young professionals
Another group, “We Believe in Wichita”, has come out against the casino. This group of professionals led by Jon Rolph, executive VP of Carlos O’Kelley’s, will reach out to other YOUNG professionals in Wichita. Although the casino promoters will likely attempt to label them “Wichita-haters” and “CAVE people” this attempt will fail.
6. Who is backing casinos?
So far, the only ‘pro-casino’ presence has come from the promoters themselves and a few of those who are involved in the Arena. We have not seen any significant Wichita business/community leaders come out in favor of the casino.
So, what will happen on election day? My guess is that the hard-core “NO” group (#1 above) will turn out heavily. The rest of the items above will likely split the rest of the electorate and/or just keep them home. I have met very few hard-core “YES” voters; many of us ‘tend toward YES’ but don’t feel we have a dog in this fight. So, many will simply not bother voting. Many others, swayed by the uncertainties concerning location, economic impact, etc, will vote NO. Others still will vote NO out of distrust of those politicos who are making promises.
Turn-out: Less then 20%Result: 60-40 against.
How can it be turned around?
I think the pro-casino group might be able to turn this around. The key would be to find some respected Wichitans to come out in favor of the casino. This is needed to counteract the effect of those respected leaders who have come out against it. These cannot be just politicians; they must be non-political community leaders.
I think most people can still be convinced one way or another; as noted there are few die-hards on either side. However, right now the “NO” side is putting up much more persuasion than is the “YES” side.
ben– Are there any polls of likely voters out?
The Business Journal did one but not ’scientific’
Found nearly 2-1 against.
One problem Mrage has is the drinking/party set that he is counting on generally doesn’t vote.
mrage has that one right.
no, fleet, he is counting on them to vote yea-yea.
So mrage…
Calling Russ Meyer and Charlie Chandler anti-Wichita? Hum… As best I can tell, both of those people single handedly has done more for this city than you ever have. Infact, I don’t think you have any right calling them anti-Wichita.
Both Russ and Charlie’s companies have dumped millions into this economy in the form of charity work, business, improvements, payroll, arts, etc…
I think of ANYONE who has the RIGHT to balk at the casino, its them.
They have sunk more of their money into this city than you ever possibly could, and you DO NOT have a right to call them anti-Wichita.
Also, what do you say about the Wichita Youth standing up against the casino? http://www.WeBelieveInWichita.com
Sounds like another “Yea-Yea” campaign is on its way down…
“no, fleet, he is counting on them to vote yea-yea.”
I mean, you can’t count on the drinker/party set to vote.That’s one thing the Repubs have going, is we tend to get out and vote more. If the young (democrat types) really got out and voted, Gore and Kerry would both be pres.Remember young people: stay home
Oh and FYI:
According to the Senate Bill… The casino investor gets 73% of the money gross and Sedgwick only gets 2%.
Call it what you will, but i say thats a negative figure in the long run…
Young people dont like either party…
We are sick of all of the BS put on by both… So what are we doing, laying low until everyone dies so we can fix it.
fleett - yep, that was my point to him. And the Business Journal readership also likely votes.
Ben,
You talk about losing the supposedly $100 Million dollar 2011 bowling tournament.
$300 Million and more could be spent in Wichita sooner and people don’t want that?
Is Meyer and Chandler promoting an alternate $300 Million plan.
There are social costs to gambling but that’s with people who can’t control themselves!
Stop building malls where people can’t control their spending in there!
Your predictions say, Sedgwick County will act much differently than all the other Counties who have approved Casino’s.
Arena has nothing to do with. Its not tax money people have to be concerned about.
You waffle on the importance of polls. Wasn’t it couple of weeks ago someone discounted polling and you went along with that idea.
The KAKE anti arena poll was supposed to stop the arena for revote. That didn’t work.
What developer can be specific about the Casino location if they don’t own the property. Ruffin owns property he’s talking about.
No one wants Century II to be sold. The City doesn’t have community authority to do that!
The City isn’t acting like their going to sell Century at all!
Too many young people drink and party. They get good grades, can wear a suit and dress nice. Want to be 21 so hard, 18 years olds will vote Yes for a Casino.
They will be 21 when it opens.
You’ll say those people don’t vote! Young people won’t make a difference in the election.
The party crowd will make a difference.
Some young guy said he wanted to raise a family here someday. He and his family never have to go into the casino.
The anti-people think they are winning but its not likely. Too many social drives to deny “freedoms” have happened.
The anti gay marriage by churches. Cities have allowed civic partnerships.
Eventually what is denounced by religions is accepted by civic policies.
Gambling is already here, its better we invest in ourselves allowing $300 Million dollars to be spent in this County.
No business leader has to stand up and promote gambling. It’s pretty simple, gambling is unto itself.
We want the entity here or not. The City is acting pro-casino and everybody knows it.
Ruffin is stepping up, locally, wanting his Casino and dog track slots. Every business aligned with him.
Construction forces surely wants the Casino to happen. Jobs, Casino will create.
More accountants need to be hired.
More police in the community is a good thing.
There would be more security downtown because Casino’s have plenty of that.
We shall see Mrage. We shall see.
I stand by my prediction.
” Wasn’t it couple of weeks ago someone discounted polling and you went along with that idea.”
HUH?
“Your predictions say, Sedgwick County will act much differently than all the other Counties who have approved Casino’s.”
YOU ARE CORRECT; I AM.
“Arena has nothing to do with.”
OH YES IT DOES. THE SAME ‘TRUST ME’ ATTITUDE. EVEN YOU HAVE SAID THAT I MUST TRUST THE POLITICIANS.
Let me say this about Russ Meyer and Charlie Chandler denouncing Casino’s.
They aren’t buying the Hyatt. Giving the City money, they could spend on other projects.
Somethings Meyer and Chandler don’t have influence. They have a vote like every other registered person.
I’m not denouncing those guys good works, this is a project for all us to consider.
“I’m not denouncing those guys good works”
You labeled them “anti-Wichitans” Sounds like denouncing to me.
My prediction stands. I have saved the file; will re-post on 8/7 and then we shall see how the vote turns out.
These guys stand a heck of a lot taller in Wichita than either you or I ever will.
I thought the casino would pass too. Until more came to light. Now my prediction is what it is. We will know in less than a month.
“You labeled them “anti-Wichitans” Sounds like denouncing to me.”
No, ben, anti means good. Silly rabbit.
You have to remember that Chandler and Meyers are really good friends that goes back with Cessna tradition to the elder Chandler. That is why Jack Pelton is a part of this too.
For decades Cessna and Chandler has had a mutual beneficial friendship, with Chandler owning Citations and a Golden Eagle, for which they hold it for him at Cessna for Chandler with maintenance, fuel and hanger storage for free.
In return, Chandler takes the ol’ boys out for some fun time. Taking Meyers and Pelton on golf trips and college football games on Chandlers dime.
So when these two guys teamed up to say they wouldn’t like a Casino in downtown Wichita (remember, they are not advocating against a casino, just it being located downtown) they are just bucking up with friends. I have no idea why Chandler doesn’t want one downtown, but so called “family reasons” doesn’t fly.
I’m not diminishing the stature that these few business men have in our community, but to me, it sure doesn’t mean “oh these guys don’t want, I’m going vote no.”
This Casino issue going to pass. The religious right argument doesn’t fly. They couldn’t even get enough signatures to keep Sunday sales from happening.
You have to remember that Kansas City, Kansas and Dodge City just voted theirs in by wide and comfortable margins. Harvey County, just north of us (although they are not in the Casino picture did vote for one in) is about as religious right as you can get, with a huge Menonite community and Sumner county is hard right also, but they passed a Casino.
In all of these counties, including Wyandotte and Ford County as just recently, had the same fundies out in full force, going door to door and campaigning hard to get people to not vote it in. There isn’t anything new or different in Sedgwick than these counties.
Yeah! There are going to be plenty of people against it, but the yes will have it, regardless of the business leaders or church people.
I wonder if a wager on the election is legal?
Well it depends. But it should be a fair bet that those who vote “no” vote with and for Terry Fox.
No Joe; it would be a lousy bet. If Terry Fox hopes for nice weather tomorrow I would “vote with him” on that. Of course, you would then vote for tornadoes and floods.
I would not, however, vote for Fox. There is a difference, even if you cannot comprehend it.
So, you think Meyer and Chandler and all the rest would vote for Fox? I doubt it seriously.
I guess you do need another slanderous label to use since your old standby “Wichita-hater” and “CAVE people” just don’t cut it with them.
Never called you a “Wichita-hater” or “CAVE People” nor did I say that about Chandler or Meyers. They are just vocal about not having one in downtown Wichita.
While I don’t know the extent of their support to the CasiNO campaign, it’s up to you to weigh in to not having it in Sedgwick. This vote now has nothing to do with not having one in our area. There will be one. Just if you think that private development of hotel/retail/and entertainment complex that will total in the $300 million range, the largest single private investment development that the area has ever been. More than twice that of the WaterWalk without any government funds into it like the WaterWalk, or it’s better to have it in Wellington instead is up to you.
But keep this in mind. The people that are spearheading the CasiNO campaign is being run by Mark Khars and big Republican shaker. He was the Director of the Sedgwick County Republican and is in with Brenda Landwere and Bonnie Huy.
The evangelical pastors, Terry Fox are the ones preaching against it and going door to door and handing out yard signs.
While most business leaders decide to keep their mouth shut and wait on the sidelines as to keep away from a controversial subject (smart move), there are respected people of our community that are campaigning for it.
Look at the two people who are running the campaign.
Randy Brown: Yes Campaign
Mark Khars: No Campaign.
If you vote No Ben, you are voting and agreeing with Terry Fox and the Republican Far right agenda. The No campaign is all about the “Moral” issue of gaming. Their strongest case is the “crime and addiction” plank.
You come to tell me that you will give away $300 million dollars in private investment?
I suggest you talk to people who live in Kansas City and ask them if the Riverboat Casinos increase crime and addiction. Ask the KC’s police department if they are overburden by crime or the court system in bankruptcies because of Casinos. Not one will say a Casino is the cause.
You’ve been a strong advocate for the Casino for many, many months. All of a sudden you are against it because of Chandler? Are you guys friends?
On Aug. 1, 2007 Jim Schuster, CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Corp., sent an email to all employees urging them to vote no against bringing a casino and slot machines to Wichita and Sedgwick County. Mr. Schuster says in his letter that “preserving our community’s values and character is critically important to the long term success of Hawker Beechcraft.” I wonder what happened to Mr. Schuster’s values and character when he stood on the tailgate of a truck and announced that all 400 of the wire-harness jobs were going to stay here in Wichita because of the hard work and dedication of the employees in that department, yet a year later nearly all 400 of those jobs were shipped south of the border to Mexico. For him to now appear concerned about this community is a slap in the face to every one of those people. Expanded gambling in Wichita is a huge issue and each of us should become educated about it. All I would say is be very careful who you listen to. I can assure you that there are others just like Jim Schuster that care more about the almighty dollar than the workers that create that dollar.