Water park still a good replacement plan

Now that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has ruled against a Cedar Rapids casino license, the question turns to what should be developed on the proposed casino land. The land was acquired by the city after the flood and is cleared and shovel-ready. It is a high-profile location visible from Interstate 380 and a centerpiece of Kingston Village.

The indoor water park that Riverside Casino Chief Executive Officer Dan Kehl proposed would complement Kingston. As you recall, Kehl made a last-minute offer to build a $30 million water park if Linn County voters rejected the casino proposal. Many people were quite skeptical of the sincerity of his offer and voted for the casino anyway.

Now is the time for Kehl to step up to prove the skeptics wrong and show he is a man of good faith. Of course, he could back down by saying voters didn't reject the casino, so he isn't obligated to make good on his promise.

However, what better way to ensure the land will never be used for a future casino than buying it himself. After all, he has admitted that Linn area residents account for as much as 30 percent of his revenues. Why not give back to the people who have supported his casino with so much of their own money?

I challenge our City Council to make a similar incentive offer for a family-friendly water park development as they were prepared to do for a gambling casino.

Ed Faber

Cedar Rapids