Isle of Capri makes change to casino site design

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 ~ Updated 1:07 PM
By Melissa Miller ~ Southeast Missourian

Isle of Capri is making a major change in its design layout, according to its final development plan filed at city hall.

The location of the casino building and parking area are now reversed from earlier designs, putting the building closer to the Mississippi River. The casino entrance, planned for the intersection of the new North Main Street and Spanish Street, will remain the same. The design change does not change plans for the relocation of the roadway either.

"It makes for better flow on the property," said Cape Girardeau city planner Martha Brown. Access to utilities was a factor in the decision to change the site design, she said.

The city planning and zoning commission will review Isle's final development plan Wednesday, Jan. 12. The commission has already recommended the city council rezone the 23-acre casino site at 800 N. Spanish St., from residential and light manufacturing to a planned development district.

Isle's final development plan contains more detailed drawings indicating where utilities will be located, how the property will be landscaped and where signs will be placed.

Proposed signs include two monument-style signs at the entrance with video message boards and an 11-by-20-foot video display board mounted to the building. Only prerecorded videos will be played on this sign, no live or streaming videos will be allowed, according to the plan.

Two phases included in the final design plan. The second phase, split into three parts, calls for the addition of a hotel, more parking and a small residential development.