Government Notes: Cedar Rapids casino proposal is only application before state gaming commission

Cedar Rapids Development Group LLC, the organization behind a proposal to build a casino in northwest Cedar Rapids, submitted the only application received by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for a new gaming license.

Iowa lawmakers in 2022 passed a two-year moratorium blocking new gaming licenses, but failed to extend the pause before the legislative session adjourned in April.

With the moratorium’s expiration in July, the commission set a timeline for accepting and reviewing new applications. It set a deadline of Sept. 16 for receiving applications.

Last week, Cedar Rapids casino backers hosted a news conference at which they presented updated plans for their proposed casino, as well as the results of their own market study, which suggests a Linn County casino would increase Iowa’s net gaming revenues by more than $80 million.

Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center, planned by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and the Linn County Gaming Association, would be $275 million development featuring a casino with 700 slot machines and 22 table games, plus a group of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, an arts & cultural center and a STEM lab “that will drive visitation from a diverse clientele.”

The next step in the licensing process will be a presentation by Cedar Rapids Development Group about its application, to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Oct. 3 in Bettendorf.

The commission will conduct a site visit and offer an opportunity for public comment on Nov. 20 in Linn County. At the Nov. 21 regular meeting in Burlington, the commission will potentially receive Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background reports in executive session.

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A market study, conducted by Innovation Group and Marquette — selected by the commission last month — will be due Dec. 30. The commission will review the study over the holidays.

At the panel’s January meeting in Jefferson, if the DCI background reports were not completed in November, these would be presented in executive session to the commission then. The market study also would be publicly presented at this meeting.

The panel is slated to vote on applications at a Feb. 6 special commission meeting.

Johnson County will reestablish committee to evaluate jail needs

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors is planning to reestablish the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee as it explores best options for the future of the county’s jail.

The building that houses the jail and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office has multiple structural deficiencies, according to a report completed this summer by Axiom Consultants of Iowa City.

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Earlier this month, the supervisors gave permission to look into design proposals that would replace the building’s roof and HVAC system, and stabilize the brick exterior.

The current jail also is overcrowded, posing safety concerns for both inmates and staff, and requiring that some inmates be housed at facilities outside Johnson County.

In July, the supervisors reviewed a space needs assessment by Cedar Rapids-based architectural firm Shive-Hattery that outlined a concept for an $80 million office/jail facility with a 140-bed jail.

The county has previously tried to finance jail improvements through bond referendums in 2012 and 2013. Both proposals received more than 50 percent approval from voters, but needed 60 percent to pass.

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee will be made up of supervisors and community members with knowledge of the criminal justice system. A list of the people who will serve on the committee has not yet been finalized.

The committee will meet once a month beginning in October. In addition to discussing the future of the jail, the committee will look into ways to limit the number of people being held in the jail.

The goal of the committee is to provide “specific recommendations regarding policies, procedures and practices relevant to policy makers.”

One member of the committee must be a resident of unincorporated Johnson County.

Linn County proposal wins Innovation in Homelessness competition

A Linn County pitch to create an advisory council of individuals who’ve experienced homelessness to provide insight on policy and program development won a competition in Des Moines this month.

The Housing Fund for Linn County, on behalf of the Alliance for Equitable Housing, won the inaugural Innovation in Homelessness Pitch Competition Sept. 5. The award was presented by the Iowa Finance Authority as part of the Housing Iowa Conference.

The competition sought forward-thinking proposals that address homelessness prevention and response.

The winning pitch receives up to $100,000 in funding to develop a pilot initiative.

The Linn County proposal would create a council of individuals with lived experience of homelessness. The council will provide insights into policy recommendations, program development and community engagement strategies.

“By integrating the perspectives of those directly affected by homelessness, the Alliance aims to develop more effective and inclusive solutions that address the needs of marginalized populations and drive meaningful community change,” a news release about the win states.

The Alliance for Equitable Housing is a multi-jurisdictional collaboration made up of Linn County cities, funders, advocacy groups, and nonprofits. It was created out of derecho disaster response, and it has continued to identify resources and strategies to address local housing issues.

J’nae Peterman gave the pitch alongside Alicia Faust of Willis Dady and Kelsey Culver of Waypoint Services. Peterman served as the director of housing services at Waypoint for 10 years before accepting her current role as homeless systems manager, a position jointly funded by the City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County.

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“Gaining insight from those with lived experience will assist our community with a greater understanding of the barriers to obtaining resources in our community,” said Sara Buck, housing services manager for the City of Cedar Rapids. “This understanding will make our programs more accessible for our most vulnerable citizens.”

The panel of judges included Erin Drinnin from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, IFA Director Debi Durham, Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Gilbert Thomas from the IFA Board of Directors, and Matt White with Housing Innovations.

“The Innovation in Homelessness Incubator aims to transform homelessness prevention and response systems and rethink how support is provided to those experiencing homelessness in Iowa,” said Durham. “Our homeless services providers rose to the challenge.”

For more details on the Innovation in Homelessness Incubator Pitch Competition and the other finalists, visit iowafinance.com.

Cedar Rapids to hold citywide walk as part of Healthiest State Initiative

The City of Cedar Rapids will host a citywide 20-minute walk as part of the Healthiest State’s Initiative 14th annual walk on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The walk will begin at McGrath Amphitheatre, 475 First St. SW, and end at Greene Square.

At the park all participants will receive a complimentary lunch from AARP Iowa and tailgate games will be available.

“We encourage all residents to participate in this walk, which is designed to promote physical fitness as well as a sense of community,” said Stephanie Schrader, community services coordinator for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Johnson County Public Health to launch mental health website

Johnson County Public Health is partnering with Credible minds, an online mental health resource platform, to launch a website Oct. 1.

The free website will have a collection of podcasts, videos, online programs and articles on mental health topics. Resources will be available in English and Spanish.

The site will cover topics such as burnout, mindfulness, resilience, parenting and time management, among others.

Government Notes is published Mondays and contains updates from area governmental bodies. The Gazette’s Grace King, Megan Woolard and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.