Reinventing downtown Cedar Rapids continues with or without a casino

We’ve supported a casino in Cedar Rapids since 61 percent of Linn County voters approved a ballot measure supporting a gambling venue in 2013. Voters renewed that permission in 2021, giving the county the ability to seek a gambling license in perpetuity.

So we appreciate a move by local investors who make up the Cedar Rapids Development Group to lock up land for the casino on the northwest side of the downtown area along the Cedar River between F Avenue and I avenue. Despite the fact the Legislature approved a moratorium on new casino licenses through June of 2024, it makes sense to prepare for a casino bid once the moratorium ends.

The bad news is Cedar Rapids investors and local leaders face an uphill climb. The Legislature could vote next session to extend the moratorium, which would please existing casino owners in Eastern Iowa. And if the Iowa Racing Commission eventually weighs another Cedar Rapids casino proposal, it will likely face the results of another round of gambling market studies showing a casino in Linn County would “cannibalize” revenues from casinos in Riverside and Waterloo.

Cannibalization worries led commissioners to turn down two previous Cedar Rapids casino proposals. Casino-backers here argue new casinos in Nebraska are siphoning off Iowa gambling revenues, but it’s uncertain whether that’s enough to turn the tide in favor of a casino in Iowa’s second-largest city.

The good news is Cedar Rapids doesn’t need a casino.

Efforts to re-imagine the future of downtown Cedar Rapids is underway. The effort is aimed at deciding how downtown can be reinvented in the wake of a pandemic that altered downtown’s traditional role as magnet for workers. Remote work has reduced the number of employees frequenting downtown restaurants and other amenities.

But there are positive signs. The city is working to enhance outdoor recreation offerings along the river as part of flood protection projects. The Cedar River greenway will include an attractive park development in the Czech Village, a pedestrian/bike bridge linking New Bohemia to the village as well as large-scale improvements at Cedar Lake. Housing developments in New Bohemia and across the city’s core neighborhoods will create strong demand for amenities, services and retail stores. The First and First West development is bringing a Big Grove Brewery and other attractions.

Reinventing downtown is a broad, multifaceted effort. It is not boxed in by the fate of the casino project. We think a casino should be part of the downtown picture. But let’s no lose sight of all the other positive efforts to revive downtown Cedar Rapids.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com