By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
It's been nearly two months since Davenport city leaders agreed to begin the process of buying the Rhythm City Casino.
Talks continue today with the Riverboat Development Authority to answer questions and concerns about the controversial investment.
There's still a long way to go before the city buys the Rhythm City Casino and builds a land–based one of their own.
Casino board members still need to get the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission as well as the Regional Development Authority to support the plan.
City leaders say the new casino will be modeled after Dubuque's Mystique Casino, which is owned by the people.
One question yet to be answered is where the new land–based casino will go.
"There has been no final determination if it'll be out on the interstate, downtown, or perhaps bifurcating the license with a facility out on the interstate and downtown to still make sure we maintain the current crowd of seniors and others that go to the riverboat," says Davenport mayor Bill Gluba.
There's still plenty of hurdles before the city casino becomes a reality. Earlier this week, city leaders hired a consultant to help with the casino purchase.
More questions about the casino will be answered after proposals for the building are due on December 20th. Even then, casino board members could reject all the offers and return to the drawing board.
"We'll look at those proposals; assess the situation," Gluba adds. "The city will continue to work in the best financial interests to the citizens of Davenport."
Tonight on CBS 4 News, we'll bring you the latest on today's discussion.
