PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) – Supporters of a stalled casino project in Crawford County are urging residents in neighboring Cherokee County to voice displeasure over a lawsuit they say is costing local governments in both counties nearly $1,000 a day.
Cherokee County and Castle Rock Casino filed lawsuits this summer claiming the Kansas Lottery violated state law when it awarded the contract for a state-owned casino in southeast Kansas in July.
Kansas Crossing and Hotel at Pittsburg got the nod even though its $70 million proposal in Crawford County was dwarfed by Castle Rock’s plans for a $145 million development in Cherokee County.
Cherokee County commissioners and Castle Rock want a judge to throw out the Kansas Crossing contract and start the selection steps over, the Joplin Globe (http://bit.ly/1FEltkJ ) reported.
The lawsuits claim the Kansas Gaming Facility Review Board made the wrong decision when it recommended the Pittsburg project and ignored a state law requiring it to choose the project that offered maximum revenue, encourages tourism and serves the best interest of Kansas.
Carrie Tedore, a spokeswoman for Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel at Pittsburg in Crawford County, said fliers were sent to all residents of Cherokee County urging them to complain to their commissioners about lost gambling revenues of $970 a day while the Kansas Crossing casino is delayed.
“Please tell Cherokee County commissioners that they are costing residents of Cherokee County much more than court costs and lawyers’ fees,” the flier says.
Developers halted construction on the Kansas Crossing casino earlier this month after the Lottery Commission issued a 90-day extension of the project’s “commencement date” because of the lawsuits.
Cherokee County is expected to receive about $400,000 a year in revenue if the Crawford County casino is built, the same amount that would go to both Crawford County and Pittsburg.
The lawsuits contend that Cherokee County will lose at least $8.5 million in taxes and other economic benefits unless the court halts the Kansas Crossing project.
