Casino Developer Gets Thumbs Up From Mayor

Barden Development Inc., a Detroit based developer got a huge boost to his campaign to bring a casino to Rockaway Beach when Mayor Tom Strom gave his approval.

Strom traveled last week to Bardens Tunica, Miss. casino on what he called a "fact finding mission." Although he lost 20 dollars on the penny slots, he said he had nothing but praise for the casino and was prepared to write up a report, which he will share with the cities Board of aldermen in a special meeting.

Barden is trying to build a $144 million riverboat casino in the downtown region of Rockaway Beach. The town has 600 people living in it. Representatives of Barden gave the Board of Alderman a formal presentation detailing the company's past and it's plans for the future of the city.

The Board on Thursday, approved unanimously Bardens bid and the deal is now just hinging on a satisfactory background check and funding and development agreements.

Missouri voters would still have to approve an amendment to the state constitution to allow gambling on the White River before Rockaway Beach can have its own casino.

The amendment was on the ballot two years ago but the city failed to convince voters in the state that the casino would be beneficial. Strom believes this time the amendment will pass due to the increased research that was done coupled with the potential monetary advantages the casino would bring to the state. Strom brought back his report and stats from Tunica which are cut and dry. "....its hard to deny those kind of facts when they're in black and white," said Strom in referring to the statistics he brought back from Tunica.

August 22, 2006
Posted By Larry Rutherford
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