The Kickapoo/Sac and Fox tribe, formed as KS&F Dev. Co. LLC, want to build on 77 acres at 118th St. and State Ave. Unified did not have a project summary with KS&F's proposal.

Legends Sun, made up of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Olympia Gaming LLC and RED Development LLC, has proposed a 750,000-sf resort/casino with two 12-story hotel towers, 200,000 sf of mixed-use retail and residential development with 250 units, coupled with an 18-hole, semi-private golf course. This project would cover 275 acres near The Legends Shopping Center along 110th St., between State and Parallel.

The Cordish Co. has joined with the Kansas Speedway to propose a project adjacent to the southeast corner of the track, at 109th St. and Village West Parkway. The development, at a reported $600 million price tag, would include 1.5 million sf, with a casino, convention center and 165,000 sf of retail, along with a gaming area for 3,000 slot machines and 100 tables. The site would include two hotels totaling 212,500 sf and a 535,000-sf parking garage.

Pinnacle Entertainment submitted the final two proposals, though both would incorporate a 100,000-sf casino and a 500-room hotel, along with a 100,000-sf convention center, a 50,000-sf concert venue and assorted retail. One plan is to build on 60 acres on the southeast corner of I-435 and Parallel Parkway, adjacent to the planned Schlitterbahn water park and retail mall, which is costing a reported $750 million. The other Pinnacle plan is to integrate with the 600-acre Donahoo development, right at a new interchange with I-435. The company has purchased options on both sites, says Dan Lee, Pinnacle's chairman and CEO, in a press release. The company says in the release that it plans to invest “substantially in excess” of the $300 million expectation.

In 1996, 82% of Kansas City, KS voters favored a new casino, says the Unified spokesman, but plans were bogged down in bureaucracy. Since then, the residents have watched neighboring Kansas City, MO bring in its own gaming facilities. “We think this new plan is a wonderful opportunity for our community,” he tells GlobeSt.com. Unified hopes to use the government's share of the revenue to help build new roads, enhance public safety and guarantee quality public education.

Under the law, the Kansas Lottery Commission has until March 5, 2008 to negotiate contracts for casinos in all four counties, and then forward them to the state's Lottery Gaming Review Board. The board then has until May 4, 2008 to name casino developers/managers.