Bellevue Casino

[jsheets]

Where is this Sarpy Casino proposed to go?

https://journalstar.com/news/state-and- ... 6af87.html

A battle over the proposed location of a casino in Sarpy County that would compete with a major casino project in Omaha dominated a legislative hearing Monday on provisions that would govern Nebraska's voter-approved authorization of casinos at horse race tracks

[Louie]

I see in the article that the current requirement is 50 miles between casinos. I don't believe that's possible to do within the confines of Sarpy county when regarding the Horseman's Park prject.

[jsheets]

Agreed, that makes the article pretty confusing

[Brad]

Yesterday, I read somewhere that they wanted to build a quarter horse track on Highway 75 & Capehart and add a Casino. The 50 mile radius law was an attempt to block the Sarpy county casino. The law was proposed after the Sarpy county casino plans surfaced. Basically warhorse told the city don't do it or we will scale our plans at horseman's way back.

[skinzfan23]

From what I understand, this is the site of the proposed racetrack and casino:

[ita]

Proposed limits on number of Nebraska racetrack casinos create unusual allies

As introduced, LB 876 would require that a new track be at least 50 miles from other tracks and would require tracks to offer at least five racing days a year, up from one currently.

Briese also offered an amendment that would require tracks to be at least 75 miles apart, except in counties of 100,000 or more people. Nebraska has three counties meeting that threshold — Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy. The amendment would also require tracks to have at least 15 days of racing...

Morgan testified in favor of the distance restrictions and the increased race days but against the exemption for large counties, which he said would hurt the casino planned for Horsemen’s Park in Omaha.

WarHorse Gaming, a new division of Ho-Chunk, has contracts to develop a casino there, as well as at the Lincoln Race Course and Atokad in South Sioux City.

Morgan said the Omaha casino would face stiff competition from existing casinos in Council Bluffs and Carter Lake. The exemption would allow for the proposed Bellevue track and casino, hurting the Omaha facility’s ability to attract gambling dollars back to Nebraska and provide tax revenue to the state, he said.

This should help clarify the issue a bit.

[omaha79]

I see in the article that the current requirement is 50 miles between casinos. I don't believe that's possible to do within the confines of Sarpy county when regarding the Horseman's Park prject.

Yeah. I definitely don't think there is currently a 50 mile requirement between casinos. It's proposed. I live near this area, and while I don't necessarily want one a mile away from me, I'm also against this 50 mile proposal. Let the marketplace decide. Iowa has clearly succeeded with multiple casinos in one area. Right now, it's like Douglas County trying to strong arm themselves into the winners circle and making sure some counties are out of the game forever. That feels wrong on many levels.

[PWL73316]

Considering Sarpy County is basically a leech on Douglas County, I have very little sympathy in any situation where Douglas is able to throw its weight around. Ideally we would just combine the counties (interestingly, they were combined until 1857).

[omaha79]

Considering Sarpy County is basically a leech on Douglas County, I have very little sympathy in any situation where Douglas is able to throw its weight around. Ideally we would just combine the counties (interestingly, they were combined until 1857).

Narrow minded view. Both need each other.

And, combining them will never, ever, happen. So, your wet dream is DOA.

[PWL73316]

Sarpy County is 10,000 Air Force personnel and 175,000 people leeching off the productivity and economic engine of Omaha while avoiding paying taxes to support that engine.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Sarpy County is 10,000 Air Force personnel and 175,000 people leeching off the productivity and economic engine of Omaha while avoiding paying taxes to support that engine.

I have no idea what's going on but this take made me crack up

[Uffda]

From what I understand, this is the site of the proposed racetrack and casino:

Interesting that would put it real close to one end of Offutt’s runway.

[omaha79]

From what I understand, this is the site of the proposed racetrack and casino:

Interesting that would put real close to one end of Offutt’s runway.

I drive by that area most days and I've thought the same thing. There is probably a reason why it's been empty land for my entire life. Is this a scenario where Sarpy County and a developer have one idea, but it's so off the radar, so to speak, that the Air Force hasn't caught wind and when they do will slap this down hard? I thought there was always a green zone that basically extended out from the base where there was supposed to be little to no development. But, looking at the angle of the runways, this could well be just off to the side of Offutt's major area of concern.

I do know there have been for sale signs on that land for years.

[skinzfan23]

At the very least it would be great to see that land used and developed some.

[omaha79]

From what I understand, this is the site of the proposed racetrack and casino:

Interesting that would put it real close to one end of Offutt’s runway.

Here is what I was thinking of. That general area is part of the...

AICUZ Air Installation Compatible Use Zone; Clear Zone, Accident Potential Zones I and II,
Noise Zones, and Height and Obstruction Criteria (Overlay District)

Lots of restrictions in those areas and why you see a big swatch of Sarpy County that's like a cone out from Offutt that remains nothing but farm land...

5.29.01 Intent.
1. To reduce the risk to public health, safety, and quality of life due to aircraft noise exposure and accident
potential.
2. To promote compatible land development in areas surrounding a military airfield by regulating land uses and
establishing criteria for the regulation of building height and density.
3. To preserve the operational capabilities and mission of Offutt Air Force Base and to prohibit uses which
create potential hazards to the safe approach and departure of aircraft.
4. To address potentially life threatening situations in areas exposed to aircraft accident potential through
restrictions on the congregation of large numbers of people or high concentrations of people and by
restrictions on concentrations of people who are unable to respond to emergency situations such as children,
elderly, handicapped, and persons undergoing medical treatment.
5. To increase the protection of persons exposed to high levels of aircraft noise by requiring acoustical treatment
in buildings located within these areas and regulating those uses which are sensitive to such noise.



https://www.bellevue.net/LinkClick.aspx ... portalid=0

[BRoss]

Let's please leave the childish trolling out of here. The offending posts have been removed.

[Coyote]

Let's please leave the childish trolling out of here. The offending posts have been removed.

Thank you!

[omaha79]

I found this online and it's relatively interesting. It is a map overlay of the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone that I mentioned above. I've always wondered why so much of the core of Sarpy County has remained farmland and I feel like much of the reasoning is a combination of flood plains due to the water shed along with this AICUZ that spreads out from the runway through Bellevue. Each zone is rated by decibel level, and I'd assume likelihood of a catastrophic crash.

https://gis.sarpy.gov/datasets/Sarpy::a ... 00%2C12.92

[Trips1]

This bill is about blocking casinos in Norfolk, York and potentially Kearney.

Proposed tracks/casinos: Bellevue, York, Norfolk, North Platte, Scottsbluff
Existing: Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City and Hastings

Grand Island to Kearney (42 miles)
Grand Island to York (40 Miles)
Lincoln to York (48 Miles)
Columbus to Norfolk (45 Miles)

[Coyote]

'It's not what the voters want': Bill would ban Nebraska casinos from using TIF



The City of Omaha already approved $17 million of TIF for a massive redevelopment of Horsemen's Park.

[PWL73316]

If only voters had some opportunity to decide what TIF projects get approved; suppose, like, an elected council of representatives from different parts of the city to meet and consult with the public before approving them.

Federalism for me, but not for thee, is definitely the refrain of the unicameral and state government writ large these days.

[Erik]

TIF for casinos is quite a hard pill to swallow IMHO. I'm a huge TIF supporter, but casinos make so much damn money as it is.

[Coyote]

Nebraska lawmakers tackle plans for mulitple casinos



Bellevue wants to get in the horse racing casino game, they have drawn up plans to build a facility in their city. A horse track for up to 5,000 fans, a grandstand and clubhouse, and a multiple-purpose entertainment center for restaurants and concerts. And eventually a casino. A bill was introduced in the legislature to change some provisions in the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act. One proposed change would have prevented horse track casino operations from opening within 50 miles of another facility.

[skinzfan23]

Also mention of the proposed indoor/outdoor water park, which I believe is long overdue for the Omaha metro

[djc311]

Also mention of the proposed indoor/outdoor water park, which I believe is long overdue for the Omaha metro

Back when I had my retail chocolate stores I was approached by a guy who was working on a large indoor waterpark project for Bellevue. At the time it was supposedly going to be a competitor to Great Wolf and once was the CoCo Keys dump. They even had a concrete block exterior structure in place when he invited me down to the site to discuss opening an onsite chocolate shop.

Obviously that never materialized - thankfully I didn't put any additional money into that venture that didn't happen.

I've never understood why Omaha can't support a place like Great Wolf. CoCo Keys was a joke... surprised no one was ever tragically hurt or poisoned (yes, poisoned) in that place given all of their ongoing maintenance issues (or lack thereof). They had to shut down the waterpark a few times due to imbalanced chemicals - can't remember for sure, but thought they even had ppl get rushed to the ER once (or more) for chlorine inhalation.

In any case, even if we don't have a ton of destination stops like KC does (race track, Worlds of Fun, etc), I would think they could put one over by the "Outlets" (I know, it's no longer outlets, it's NEX ). My favorite place in Omaha as a kid was Moby Dick waterslides. I think I liked going there even more than Peony Park at the time. Only places I can think of that are somewhat close to a water entertainment venue are Zorinsky or Mahoney, which are state-owned facilities. Although they're decent, they're obviously not what I'd consider a full-blown waterpark.

Is the place they're building in Gretna going to be an actual waterpark? I live somewhat near the area and haven't followed it at all aside from what you see online here or there.

Oh, I guess there is FunPlex - but IMO it's just a place that can charge whatever they want because they are the closest thing we have in Omaha to a theme park (unfortunately). It's quite sad with nearly a million ppl we can't support anything better than that.

[skinzfan23]

Just to confirm, the place in Bellevue was going to have some waterslides, but nothing on the scale of a Great Wolf. It got torn down because of mold issues during the lack of construction. Now there is a senior housing project on the site.

From what I understand the new Bellevue waterpark would be a regional draw if constructed. The cost was est around $80 Million.

[djc311]

Just to confirm, the place in Bellevue was going to have some waterslides, but nothing on the scale of a Great Wolf. It got torn down because of mold issues during the lack of construction. Now there is a senior housing project on the site.

That's not how they tried to sell me on the concept. Regardless, it didn't happen. Hopefully this new project would be a big draw!

[Coyote]

Proponents of Expanding Casinos Beyond Existing Six Racetracks Won a Round in the Legislature

LINCOLN — Proponents of allowing casinos at more than the six existing horse-racing tracks in Nebraska scored a victory of sorts last week. They helped block advancement of a bill to delay until 2029 a required market study on the impact of casino gambling, including whether it would have a detrimental or positive financial impact on existing racetrack/casinos. State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue was among those arguing against the advancement of Legislative Bill 311, which seeks to delay a state-required report on the impact of the new casinos from Jan. 1, 2025, until Jan. 1, 2029. Holdcroft said it would be unfair to make communities like his and others hoping to build casinos to wait until 2030 to find out whether they can obtain a state license to build one. “Let others give it a try,” he said.

[omaha79]

I can only imagine the amount of bribery, corruption, and overall payola being taken under the table by legislators right now over all the casino business. I imagine it is on a mass scale with each entity trying to get casinos in certain locations while trying to block others.

[skinzfan23]

I can only imagine the amount of bribery, corruption, and overall payola being taken under the table by legislators right now over all the casino business. I imagine it is on a mass scale with each entity trying to get casinos in certain locations while trying to block others.

See Iowa right now for further examples

[Coyote]

Bellevue pushing to build casino and racetrack



BELLEVUE, Neb. — The city of Bellevue is all in on the idea to build a casino and racetrack. Now, it hopes the Nebraska Gaming Commission gives the green light. Mayor Rusty Hike says he's seen studies that estimate a casino and racetrack would bring in over $100 million annually. He says it's about time his city gets a share of the pot. "We're sending a lot of money across the river to casinos over there," Hike said. "Our goal is get some of that money and keep some of that money here."

The plan is to build it on a plot of land at Fairview and Fort Crook Road, right next to Offutt Air Force Base. Hike says if all goes according to plan, they'll have a casino, racetrack and water park built there within five years. And the revenue should benefit everyone. "You probably cut your property taxes for the city of Bellevue anywhere from 10 to 20 percent," he said. But Lance Morgan, the CEO of Ho Chunk Incorporated, which runs Warhorse Casino, says his casino already services Sarpy County.

"The Warhorse Omaha is approximately one mile from Sarpy County and only six miles from the proposed Bellevue casino," he said in a statement. "That's just an anti-competition message, in my opinion," John Hassett said. He's leading the push to build the Bellevue quarter horse racetrack. He's been running Keno in South Omaha since the 90s but wants to revitalize Omaha's tradition of horseracing.

[Coyote]

City of Bellevue excited about casino expansion opportunities



City leaders in Bellevue are encouraged by the results of a recent market analysis outlining the possibilities for expanding the casino industry in Nebraska. According to the study, Bellevue is ranked as the top potential revenue generator on the expansion list. There are only six licenses currently granted for casinos and horse racing in Nebraska. Some are in various stages of development, and many are using temporary facilities during construction. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming commission moved the Hastings license to Ogallala last month, citing a lack of community support in Hastings.

[omaha79]

I'm just confused as to what changed? 2021 articles clearly show Kennedy and Capehart. That is a more ideal location as it's further away from housing. This will create noise and traffic issues. Fairview is much less ideal than Capehart for this kind of development. They quietly flipped where they want to put it and it doesn't make sense. I wonder if they were told heck no but offut.

https://www.ketv.com/article/proposed-h ... l/37053311

[CBJason]

So this water park they’re speaking of, I assume is something different than the water park of the NC3 project? That would be 2 water parks within what, a mile or so?

[skinzfan23]

I'm just confused as to what changed? 2021 articles clearly show Kennedy and Capehart. That is a more ideal location as it's further away from housing. This will create noise and traffic issues. Fairview is much less ideal than Capehart for this kind of development. They quietly flipped where they want to put it and it doesn't make sense. I wonder if they were told heck no but offut.

https://www.ketv.com/article/proposed-h ... l/37053311

Apparently the land where they were proposing it wasn't feasible, so they moved locations. There is a huge piece of land at Fairview and Ft. Crook and it is flat.

[omaha79]

So this water park they’re speaking of, I assume is something different than the water park of the NC3 project? That would be 2 water parks within what, a mile or so?

I think it's one in the same. They haven't clarified at all, but it appears the NC3 project along with the racetrack/casino are quietly being rolled into one mega project in an area that doesn't have the road infrastructure to handle it. The racetrack/casino was clearly planned for Capehart in 2021 and something has flipped. Yesterday was the first time that Fairview was ever mentioned in conjunction with the casino. As a local resident, I'm trying to get clarification from the mayor/city council to see what might have changed and will likely try to organize the neighborhoods in opposition. This is an inappropriate location for a horse track.

[skinzfan23]

So this water park they’re speaking of, I assume is something different than the water park of the NC3 project? That would be 2 water parks within what, a mile or so?

I still have my doubts about the waterpark. I really do hope that it happens, but I am pretty sure this is the same water park that they have been talking about, not a second one.

I just hope that it is Great Wolf Lodge-like and not just another enclosed swimming pool.

[skinzfan23]

So this water park they’re speaking of, I assume is something different than the water park of the NC3 project? That would be 2 water parks within what, a mile or so?

I think it's one in the same. They haven't clarified at all, but it appears the NC3 project along with the racetrack/casino are quietly being rolled into one mega project in an area that doesn't have the road infrastructure to handle it. The racetrack/casino was clearly planned for Capehart in 2021 and something has flipped. Yesterday was the first time that Fairview was ever mentioned in conjunction with the casino. As a local resident, I'm trying to get clarification from the mayor/city council to see what might have changed and will likely try to organize the neighborhoods in opposition. This is an inappropriate location for a horse track.

I live in the area too, but not concerned about the horsetrack. They are only used for maybe 10-20 days per year. I would be more worried about the casino than anything.

[djc311]

Bellevue pushing to build casino and racetrack



BELLEVUE, Neb. — The city of Bellevue is all in on the idea to build a casino and racetrack. Now, it hopes the Nebraska Gaming Commission gives the green light. Mayor Rusty Hike says he's seen studies that estimate a casino and racetrack would bring in over $100 million annually. He says it's about time his city gets a share of the pot. "We're sending a lot of money across the river to casinos over there," Hike said. "Our goal is get some of that money and keep some of that money here."

The plan is to build it on a plot of land at Fairview and Fort Crook Road, right next to Offutt Air Force Base. Hike says if all goes according to plan, they'll have a casino, racetrack and water park built there within five years. And the revenue should benefit everyone. "You probably cut your property taxes for the city of Bellevue anywhere from 10 to 20 percent," he said. But Lance Morgan, the CEO of Ho Chunk Incorporated, which runs Warhorse Casino, says his casino already services Sarpy County.

"The Warhorse Omaha is approximately one mile from Sarpy County and only six miles from the proposed Bellevue casino," he said in a statement. "That's just an anti-competition message, in my opinion," John Hassett said. He's leading the push to build the Bellevue quarter horse racetrack. He's been running Keno in South Omaha since the 90s but wants to revitalize Omaha's tradition of horseracing.

We don't even have a casino in Omaha yet and the owners of the first one to open are wanting to prevent a second one from being built.

That is totally anti-competitive and monopolistic. Same thing with the state preventing residents from being able to bet with sports apps... having to go into a casino to gamble on sports is something the casinos wanted to force because they get their cut.

CB has 3 casinos almost directly across the street from one another. It's a sad argument for Warhorse to gripe about one 6 miles away. They fought to build a casino so they have to deal with the potential of competition. That's the way a free market should work.

[skinzfan23]

Agree, I see no problem for another casino. Sure it will take some competition from them, but overall that would be more tax $ staying in NE instead of going to IA.