The Rockford City Council approved Monday night Hard Rock International’s proposal for the development of a casino complex at the site of the former Clock Tower Resort on East State Street just off Interstate 90.
The plan was previously endorsed by city staff, the Rockford Park District, and the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Lat night, members of the Rockford City Council voted 11-1 to send the proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board for review. Alderman Linda McNeely cast the lone negative vote. She said that while she recognized the fact that Hard Rock has promised to give back the city for agreeing to host its casino, the company has not promised to contribute any funds that would be specifically designated for west side improvements.
Venita Hervey, Alderman of the Fifth Ward, supported Ms. McNeely’s argument, saying that the city’s South Main Street corridor, where another developer proposed a casino, will not see further development if no funds are allocated. Gorman & Co., a Wisconsin-based real estate firm, proposed a casino in downtown Rockford where it is currently building the Embassy Suites & Rockford Conference Center. Unlike Alderman McNeely, Alderman Hervey voted for Hard Rock’s project at the end of the night.
The Hard Rock Project
Hard Rock plans to build a casino complex at the site of the former Clock Tower Resort and hopes to benefit from traffic from Interstate 90. The company’s CEO, Jim Allen, has said previously that Rockford is a strong location for a casino due to its “history as the center point of entertainment.”
The city becoming home to a casino in the coming years is part of a massive overhaul of Illinois’ gambling industry that Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved earlier this year, hoping to secure some of the revenue for his $45 billion infrastructure plan from the state’s expanded gambling.
Hard Rock’s proposal was one of three submitted by interested parties during the request for proposals process conducted by Rockford over the summer months. The Florida-based gaming and hospitality company’s plan includes a casino with multiple gaming positions, a Hard Rock Cafe, and a live entertainment venue. Mr. Allen has said that they could add a hotel in future phases of the project.
The first phase of the project will include developing and launching a temporary casino with more than 700 slot machines that will remain operational until the main casino is under construction. Construction of the permanent facility is expected to take between 18 and 24 months. The temporary casino will be located at the site of the former Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center.
Hard Rock’s proposal will now be referred to the Illinois Gaming Board, which will review it to decide whether the company should be granted a license and permission to start building. The review process could take up to nine months.
Commenting on yesterday’s vote, Hard Rock COO Jon Lucas said that they are thankful for the support they have received and look forward to continuing with the state process to “create an entertainment destination that will make Rockford proud.”
Hard Rock has promised to contribute $7 million in minimum annual payments to the city in addition to its revenue sharing payments with Rockford. Addressing concerns about the city’s west side, Mr. Lucas said Monday that they will make sure to support all parts of the city and that they will “do everything we can to help create jobs” for west side residents.
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