The Lake of the Ozark Board of Aldermen has cleared the way for not one, but two casino developments at the lake.
“We would certainly welcome both developments and wish them both well,” said Christopher Rohrer, Lake of the Ozark City Attorney.
The Board of Aldermen was in session Wednesday night, bringing plenty of community members to City Hall.
“We would certainly welcome both developments and wish them both well,” said Christopher Rohrer, Lake of the Ozark City Attorney.
The Lake of the Ozark Board of Aldermen passed two bills Wednesday night for Osage Nation to construct an entertainment district consisting of a hotel and casino at the corner of Bagnell Dam Boulevard and Osage Beach Parkway.
“We are committed to you and this partnership,” Kimberly Pearson, Osage Nation CEO, said during the meeting.
One bill approved an agreement for infrastructure improvements; the other approved an agreement for municipal services with the Osage Nation.
According to a press release from the Osage Nation, highlights of the agreement consist of:
– Contributing 2.5% on adjusted gross gaming receipts and a 1% resort fee on hotel rooms.
– Paying the normal rate for water and sewer.
– Contributing $100,000 annually for police services.
– Paying for a turn lane to be placed in the right-of-way in front of its property on Bagnell Dam Blvd.
Both bills passed without opposition.
Osage Nation purchased 27 acres for the entertainment district in 2021 and has clearance to build the project under the U.S. Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Osage Nation also expressed a desire to build an Osage Nation Welcome Center near the entertainment district.
The city also adopted a resolution in support of a private casino development near the Osage River for the Osage River Gaming Commission.
“This is the first step in starting the process again to get back on the ballot for next year to bring a Missouri Gaming Commission-certified casino to the Lake of the Ozarks,” said Andy Prewitt, President of Osage River Gaming Commission.
The Osage River Gaming Commission is the same group that brought forth Amendment Five in last year’s election to amend Missouri’s Constitution to allow casino development along the Osage River – though it now operates under a different name.
“So last year our signature collection started 45 days after this current spot. And we ended up having barely enough signatures and actually having to force a recount in congressional district two, which cost us four months of campaigning,” Prewitt explained.
Missouri voters voted 52 percent against allowing a casino development on the Osage River last year.
Prewitt says they are more confident in attempt two.
“So this time around, we have an extra 45 days to collect signatures. We should have more than enough time and more than enough signatures, which will allow us an additional four months of campaign time,” Prewitt explained.
The Osage River Gaming Commission has also partnered with Tegethoff Development, which is bringing the Oasis at Lakeport Project —a $495 million development consisting of a conference center, water park, and theme park off Highway 54 in Osage Beach.
Only two residents spoke during the public comment period, both in favor of the casino developments.
“When the busy summer season ends, the work dries up. The hours get cut, businesses close early, and every winter becomes a challenge to make ends meet for my family,” said Tyler Dixion, a Lake of the Ozark resident.
The city also unanimously approved the resolution for the Osage River Gaming Commission.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source krcgtv.com ’
