Ten the Hardway with Angie Franks

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Admin

From time to time we take a break and interview a Missouri Gaming Commission staff member.Today our victim is Angie Franks. She is the Commission's assistant, assistant to Executive Director Roger Stottlemyre and an all around swell gal.

1. Give us a synopsis of your job-

AF- I prepare documents for commission meetings, discipline review board, scheduling for the executive director and commissioners, prepare the annual report. I also plan the commission meetings, and the things that go with the meetings, like lunch, court reporters, etc.

2. So you're saying you have lots of free time? Ha. What do you do with your personal free time. Hobbies?

AF-My kids keep me extremely busy with sporting events, sometimes two different sporting events with three different kids at different times.

3. What is the most exciting part of your job?

AF- Commission meetings. This is when all of what we do comes together.

4. How long have you been with the Commission?

AF- Since January 1,1998.

5. What has been the most interesting time in the Commission's history for you?

AF-The different times in which the riverboat gaming casinos have opened to the public.

6. Do you feel you have seen a real change in how the Commission operates?

AF- No. We're regulators. I have worked for four different Executive Directors. Even though each has their style, it always goes back to regulation. From that we never waiver.

7.If you could change anything about your job what would you change?

AF-I really wouldn't change anything.

8.What would you do if you won a jackpot?

AF- I cannot win a jackpot. I am not allowed to gamble on Missouri riverboat gaming casinos. Commissioners as well as Commission employees are not allowed to gamble on Missouri riverboat casinos.

9. Ok, what if a bundle of money fell from the sky and landed on your lap. What would you do?

AF- I would go on a luxurious vacation…someplace warm and tropical.

10. Coke or Pepsi?

AF- Pepsi.

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Cape Girardeau

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Admin

KFVS 12 TV- Cape Girardeau-

How Cape Girardeau casino will affect property values

Posted:

Apr 08, 2011 5:17 PM CDT Updated:

Apr 08, 2011 6:00 PM CDT

By Christy Millweard – bio | email
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) –

With the Isle of Capri Casino starting to go up, owners in the downtown Cape Girardeau area, hope to see their property values go up.

But many know, only time will tell.

"We'll just have to wait and see," said Marla Mills, the Executive Director of Old Town Cape.

Wait and see, a game. Not like Blackjack, or Roulette, but one that Mills says could show a change in the property values of the space in downtown.

"I believe that they will go up over time for a lot of reasons, and the casino will be one piece of that," said Mills.

It's a pretty big piece according to Jane Clark, a real estate broker.  She has numerous properties downtown.

"We have had probably three times the calls and the showings since we knew for sure the casino was coming to Cape," said Clark.

"I can say for sure the number of people interested in downtown and what's going on, and wanting to be a part of that in property owner or a business has increased over the past six months specifically since the casino has gotten its award of the licence," said Mills.

Clark and Mills say not only has the interest in these properties started to go up, but they say the asking price has too.

"I know some properties for sale, the asking price has gone up on those, so if those sell for a higher price than they could have before, than that will be a true testament to that," said Mills.

Downtown property owner Jim Riley says now is the time to invest in properties like this, in the heart in Downtown Cape Girardeau, before the casino comes a year and eight months from now.

Riley said he thinks the casino will bring more foot traffic to the downtown shops, restaurants, and businesses.

"I just think the activity that is going to be generated is going to be something that business owners especially will be interested in," said Clark.

But Mills says it's important that business owners don't bank on something that is still just a speculation.

"Although I think the casino is a big piece of it, I think it is just a piece," said Mills.

It's a piece that some say might be the needed piece to raise the value of downtown Cape Girardeau.

 

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Casino Fines

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Admin

Tim Logan of the St.Louis Post Dispatch writes about MGC disciplinary actions and fines today. Read it here.

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Cape Girardeau

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Admin

The television story from KFVS 12

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Isle of Capri- Cape Girardeau

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Admin

Isle of Capri, city leaders celebrate casino at Cape Girardeau groundbreaking

Thursday, March 31, 2011 ~ Updated 4:07 PM

By Melissa Miller ~ Southeast Missourian
(Photo)

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Isle of Capri casino Thursday, March 31, 2011 included, from left, city council members Mark Lanzotti and John Voss, Mayor Harry Rediger, Isle president and chief operating officer Virginia McDowell, city council member Meg Davis Proffer, city manager Scott Meyer, Isle vice president and chief development officer Paul Keller and Isle vice president of design and construction Dick Meister.
(Fred Lynch) [Order this photo]

City leaders and casino executives celebrated Thursday by digging their golden shovels into the dirt to break ground for a $125 million Isle of Capri casino complex in Cape Girardeau.

"We are excited to bring this project to your community. It is a game changer for Cape and it is a game changer for Isle," said Virginia McDowell, president and chief operating officer at Isle of Capri.

Several hundred people attended the ceremony, including the president of the Missouri Gaming Commission, Jim Mathewson.

For nearly a year, Isle of Capri has been working with local businessmen David Knight and Jim Riley and city officials first to secure Missouri's 13th and final casino license and then obtain the property needed for the casino.

The new gaming and entertainment complex north of downtown at the old shoe factory site off North Main Street is expected to have 1,000 slot machines, 28 table games, three restaurants, a lounge and terrace overlooking the Mississippi River and a 750-seat event center.

Scheduled to open in 2012, the casino will create approximately 450 jobs, McDowell said.

"We have designed this property to celebrate the river heritage of Cape, to compliment the existing business community and to serve as a future catalyst for development on Main Street," she said.

The casino is expected to attract new visitors from six different states and generate $1 million in new tax revenue for the state and the city.

"Today is really a new beginning for our area and for our ward," said Ward 1 city councilman John Voss.

More than 100 years ago, city leaders stood near the same spot to break ground on the Roberts, Johnson and Rand Shoe Co., Voss said. At its peak, the factory employed 1,600 people and spurred the development of homes, businesses and churches in what became known as the Red Star district. The name came from the red star imprinted on the men's dress shoes made there.

"Like the shoe companies of the past, the Isle of Capri has started a partnership with Cape Girardeau. A partnership we envision will continue to grow our families, our neighborhoods and our region," Voss said.

Construction on the relocation of North Main Street at the casino site will begin next week, said Dick Meister, Isle's vice president of design and construction.

Cape Girardeau County contractors hired for the road realignment project are Fronabarger Concreters, Inc., Apex Paving, Cotner Electric, Nip Kelly Trucking & Equipment, Monroe Plumbing and Roadrunner Safety.

The bid process for the casino construction is ongoing, Meister said.

"We are completing interviews and have some excellent candidates that have come to us," he said. Isle will announce the selection of its building contractor in early May.

Look for more on this story later at www.semissourian.com and in Friday's Southeast Missourian.

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Isle of Capri- Cape Girardeau

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Admin

From the Associated Press-

 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. —  Isle of Capri is preparing to begin work this week on a $125 million casino in Cape Girardeau.

The Southeast Missourian reports the groundbreaking ceremony for the state’s newest casino is scheduled Thursday afternoon.

The Missouri Gaming Commission awarded the casino license to Isle of Capri in December.

Plans call for a casino along the Mississippi River with 1,000 slot machines, 28 table games, three restaurants, a lounge and a terrace overlooking the river, along with a 750-seat event center.

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Isle of Capri- Cape Girardeau

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Admin

From KFVS-12 Cape Girardeau-

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) –

Isle of Capri plans to break ground on its new Cape Girardeau casino next week.

An invitation e-mailed to Heartland News says the groundbreaking ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Main and Mill streets in downtown Cape. 

Isle of Capri also posted a public invitation to the event on its Facebook page.

Plans to build the new casino took off December 1, when the Missouri Gaming Commission announced it would give Isle of Capri "preferred developer" status.  Missouri's 13th casino license is expected to be handed over to Isle of Capri when the Cape Girardeau location opens.

The Cape Girardeau casino was expected to open in late 2012.

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FAQ-Oldie but Goodie

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Admin


J0401667 Each day the Missouri Gaming Commission fields calls from people interested in conducting Texas hold 'em tournaments, mouse races, and casino nights for fund raising activities. Each day people want to know if these activities are legal. The Missouri Gaming Commission advises those who call to please consult their local prosecuting attorney as to the legality of their events. The Missouri Gaming Commission regulates riverboat gaming and charitable bingo.

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The Admiral

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Admin

Jo Mannies of the St.Louis Beacon has an update. Interesting pictures-

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Cape Girardeau

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Admin

This story from KFVS TV in Cape Girardeau-

City Girardeau leaders to use $2 million from casino to pay off airport bonds

Posted:

Mar 07, 2011 11:19 PM CST Updated:

Mar 08, 2011 2:35 AM CST

By Heartland News

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Cape Girardeau city leaders have other plans for $2 million given to them by Isle of Capri, which was supposed to go toward improvements on Broadway and several other downtown projects.

Leaders voted at Monday night's scheduled city council meeting to use the money to pay off the bonds that paid for a hangar at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.  Commander Premiere Aircraft occupies the hangar, but the city gave the company 60 days notice last month to leave or pay more than $1 million in back rent.

Paying off the bonds will save the city about $50,000 in interest, said mayor Harry Rediger. 

"If it's a cost-saving factor for the city it's a cost-saving factor for the citizens, our citizens, and the taxes that they pay," Rediger said.

Rediger said Isle of Capri was on board with the move because the city will still pay for the downtown improvements, but admitted they may now take a little longer to complete.

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