No correlation between casino and liquor proliferation, Kinnison says

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - A Cape Girardeau Police Department study shows no correlation between the arrival of a casino and the proliferation of businesses selling liquor.

The study looked at three communities with casinos: St. Charles, Booneville and St. Joseph. It also examined Poplar Bluff, which limits the number of its liquor licenses.

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Carl Kinnison says the study’s finding were clear.

“Just because the casino opened within the three communities that we talked to, they did not see a proliferation or growth of other liquor establishments, whether it be a tavern or bar or packaged liquor,” Kinnison said.

Poplar Bluff may even lift its liquor license cap, according to Kinnison.

Councilwoman Deb Tracy requested the Cape PD conduct the study because she was concerned the casino would prompt more businesses to apply for liquor licenses.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Work officially begins on Cape Girardeau casino

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Cape Girardeau has waited for 20 years for a casino … and the city is now one step closer to bringing a gaming establishment to its riverfront. 

Cape Girardeau city leaders and Isle of Capri Casino executives broke ground Thursday on the $125 million project on the city’s riverfront district.

Officials say that the new casino will generate 450 new jobs.

Isle of Capri’s president and CEO Virginia McDowell says that the casino will attract visitors from a six state region.

“This was probably the best and last underserved market in Missouri. So to us it became very obvious that this was the place to be,” McDowell said.

Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET director Mitch Robinson was clearly elated about the casino. He says that it’s one of the largest economic developments that the city has seen in generations.

“We’ve looked. It’s been well over 40 years since we’ve had anything of this size. $125 million project, 450 jobs. That’s pretty rare in today’s economic climate,” Robinson said.

The next step in the project is to relocate Main Street. The casino is scheduled to open in 2012.

The city’s voters approved a ballot initiative that allowed gaming last November. The community will vote next Tuesday on an initiative that would ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, including casinos.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Southeast students engaged in fate of Reynolds House

Southeast Missouri State University Historic Preservation students are helping decide the fate of the Reynolds House at 623 N. Main Street in Cape Girardeau, which was built in 1857. 

The future of the house, owned by Earl Norman, is currently undecided and students are developing a strategic plan, a historic structure report, and a furnishing plan that may guide the future of the house.

Dr. Joel Rhodes is leading the class, which he believes will strengthen their skills and potentially help not only the students, but Cape Girardeau as well.

"It’s critical to get our students out there and get their hands dirty. It not only puts more tools in their tool box for their future careers, but there are a lot of projects in Cape Girardeau that could really, really use their expertise and the Reynolds House is a perfect storm of circumstances," Rhodes said.

The Isle of Capri casino is set to begin construction across the street from the Reynolds House and have already agreed to help protect the house from demolition.

Dr. Rhodes and fellow faculty member Dr. Steven Hoffman will meet with the design team from the casino on Friday to discuss the future of the historic structure.

The casino is scheduled to open on January 1, 2012.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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