By: Jillian Wilson
jwilson@cbs4qc.com
The Riverboat Development Authority thought the city of Davenport was taking too big a gamble, so they jumped in last week to see if there was a better way to bring in the new casino.
"We just think it's time to step back and slow down the process a little bit to look and see if there are other alternatives out there before the tax payers of Davenport are committed to this project," says Gary Mohr, Riverboat Development Authority.
Davenport city leaders say it's about time the RDA is stepping up.
"They should have been doing this quite frankly a long time ago," says Bill Edmond, Davenport Alderman.
For months city leaders took the lead, reaching an agreement in January with Ingenus to build a new casino along I-80.
Since the license is still owned by the Isle of Capri the RDA took a back seat until now.
"The RDA though the discussions with their attorney and with the isle of Capri they are able to carry on the discussions we've been having and that's really where it should reside," says Jeff Justin, a Davenport Alderman.
Both sides share the same goal.
"Are there other alternatives of other operators out there who might come to this market establish a casino without city involvement, without city risk, without city financial commitment?" said Mohr.
Gary Mohr says it will take some time, but it's worth it.
"We may very well come back and say they don't exist, but we owed it to this community in our opinion to go out and look," says Mohr.
Now the city of Davenport will wait until the RDA picks a plan.
