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WELLINGTON — Sumner County commissioners repeated history on Tuesday by throwing their support behind a casino proposal for Wellington and spurning two for Mulvane.
The same action in 2007 led to a legal battle that still is pending in the courts.
Commissioners unanimously endorsed a proposal by Oklahoma-based Global Gaming LLC for a $255 million casino at Wellington's Turnpike exit.
But two companies that want to build casinos at or near Mulvane's exit said they plan to remain in the competition.
Peninsula Gaming Partners' plan for a $300 million casino at Mulvane's Exit 33 was endorsed Monday by the city of Mulvane, even though its site is on land that still is in legal limbo because of the contested annexation of that site by the city.
And Harrah's Entertainment, which was rejected by the same commissioners in December 2007, will seek the city's endorsement for its $260 million Harrah's Kansas facility at an alternate site east of the exit at the intersection of Belle Plaine Road and K-53.
That land was annexed by the city last year, but is not under a legal cloud.
Endorsements from local governments are important because they are required before prospective casino developers can sign contracts with the Kansas Lottery.
The lottery will forward any signed contracts to the state's casino review board, which will make the final decision.
Economic engine
The three county commissioners voted unanimously after listening to comments for an hour from about 30 members of the public during a meeting at the Raymond Frye Complex. They also heard responses from the developers.
Commissioner Garey Martin, who represents the northern part of the county, said that unlike the Mulvane exit, there are no questions about infrastructure or drainage and traffic problems at Wellington's Exit 19, and no opposition from residents to a casino there.
Martin also said that the central location would help a casino serve as an economic engine for the county.
Commissioner Jim Newell said a Wellington casino would help retain young people in the county and halt a population erosion. Mulvane is the only town in the county that has grown, he said.
"I love Mulvane," Newell said, "but Mulvane does not need the help the rest of the county needs to pull out of this economic doldrum."
Global Gaming chief executive John Elliott said he was surprised and pleased with the unanimous endorsement.
"We felt it was a good, clean site in terms of infrastructure, traffic access and feasibility from I-35," he said. "We didn't believe because of our experience on the I-35 corridor there was any revenue differential between Exit 33 and Exit 19."
Global Gaming, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation, already operates five entertainment venues along the I-35 corridor in Oklahoma. Those include the WinStar World casino near Thackerville and the Riverwind Casino in Norman.
Its plans for Wellington feature an oval asphalt track for a variety of auto and motorcycle races.
Rivals not surprised
Executives of the rejected plans said they were disappointed with the commission's vote, but not surprised.
"If you look back at the history of how this has played out in the past, I think this is consistent," said Trevor Busche, vice president of development for Harrah's Entertainment.
Harrah's rejection by the same three commissioners in the first round, as well as their rejection of a proposal by a group headed by MGM Mirage for the same exit, led the city of Mulvane to annex land at the exit and provide the endorsements, which allowed both plans to advance to the state lottery.
Harrah's and its majority partner, Topeka-based Equity Ventures, later won the vote from the state casino review board, but withdrew in November 2008 when the economy tanked.
Brent Stevens, Peninsula's chief executive, said he was encouraged by Mulvane's endorsement of the company's plans for its Kansas Star casino at Exit 33.
"We believe this project deserves to be built. It is a great opportunity for the county and for the state, and we look forward to commencing that process," he said.
Sumner County sued over Mulvane's annexation of the exit. The Kansas Court of Appeals has upheld the city's annexation, but the Kansas Supreme Court hasn't ruled on the matter.
Mulvane city administrator Kent Hixson said the City Council thinks it had the authority to endorse Peninsula's plan because of the appellate court's ruling.
Public comment at the meeting again revealed the split in the county over the choice of locations for a casino.
Those supporting the Mulvane exit said a casino there would produce the most revenue for the county and state.
Supporters of Wellington's exit said it had more public support, no infrastructure problems and provided better economic development.
Some speakers from Mulvane said they favored Wellington because of flooding and traffic concerns at Exit 33, and lack of support from residents for that exit.
A few argued against building any casino in the county because casinos are a detriment to families.
