Second Ankeny Council Member Speaks Out Against Casino Plans

Some Ankeny City Council members are standing by their choice to explore the possibility of bringing a casino to town, while others have leaned a different direction since Monday night's 4-1 vote.

The council Monday night voted to accept a memorandum of understanding with Wild Rose Entertainment LLC, a company that hopes to build a $150-million casino and entertainment venue on the city's north side.

Council member Bobbi Bentz cast the dissenting vote.

But on Wednesday, council member Mark Holm said if he could go back and change his vote, he would.

"I am no longer interested in exploring a casino project in Ankeny," Holm said. "I did struggle, and it was a hard decision and I thought getting it out to the public was the best route...but I do not feel this is a good fit for Ankeny and citizens seem to agree with me."

The council voted Monday after 15 minutes of discussion about the project. The vote is only the first of several hurdles developers will need to get over before the casino could be built.

Wild Rose is considering building a casino on land near the interchange of Interstate 35 and Northeast 36th Street, according to the Des Moines Business Record.

The proposed 300,000-square-foot complex includes the casino as well as a hotel. It also includes a 50,000-square-foot events center and multiple dining options located within the venue. It is expected to create 600 jobs and provide Ankeny with $500,000 to $800,000 in new revenue.

On Wednesday, Bentz told Ankeny Patch she stands by her vote.

"I did not feel there was enough opportunity to properly vet this project to the greater public, hence my 'no' vote on the (memorandum)," Bentz said. "I encourage residents to remain fully engaged in the upcoming processes related to this project, to thoughtfully review the project and to reach out to the council with their thoughts."

Council member Jim McKenna said he's neither "for or against" the project but plans to let the democratic process play out. McKenna said he feels the community will have ample time to weigh in, regardless of whether or not they support it.

"The proposed project is not just a casino but a multiple entertainment venue with several amenities," McKenna said. "When I have a clear understanding of the project and can gauge the support for or against it, I will try to vote the will of the community."

Council members Wade Steenhoek and Dave Kissinger weighed in via a press release sent by the city of Ankeny on Tuesday.

“Our citizens want Ankeny to become a regional destination city. This project does that by including a major entertainment venue, hotel and convention/conference facilities,” Kissinger said in the release. “We believe this project helps us to achieve our growth and economic goals. Combined with the many other new and exciting developments under way in our city, this project could be a catalyst for even more local jobs and economic growth in Ankeny.”

Steenhoek said in the release the proposed casino design could attact many visitors to Ankeny.

“The design of this project is like no other in the state,” Steenhoek said. “The complex is sleek and attractive with features that will draw visitors to the community for meetings, activities, leisure and entertainment.”

The city of Ankeny has posted a page on its website with frequently asked questions concerning the proposed project. Residents can submit their questions there as well.

Our Earlier Coverage

UPDATED: Ankeny City Council to Consider Site Along I-35 for Casino

Ankeny Council Votes on Proposed Agreement with Casino Developer