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

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

Iowa lawmakers in 2022 passed a two-year moratorium blocking new game licenses, but Extension of pause failed before the legislative session ends in April.

With the moratorium ending in July, the commission has set a timeline for accepting and reviewing new applications. It set a deadline of September 16 for receiving applications.

Last week, Cedar Rapids casino supporters held a press conference where they presented updated plans for their proposed casino, as well as the results of their own market research suggesting that a casino in Linn County would increase Iowa’s net gaming revenues by more than $80 million.

Planned by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) and the Linn County Gaming Association, the Cedar Crossing Casino and Entertainment Center will be a $275 million development that will include a casino with 700 slot machines and 22 table games, as well as a number of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, an arts and culture center and a STEM lab that will “increase visitors from a diverse clientele.”

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

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

A market study conducted by Innovation Group and Marquette, which was selected by the commission last month, is 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 by November, they would be presented to the commission in executive session at that time. The market research would also be presented to the public at that meeting.

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

Johnson County to reestablish committee to assess jail needs

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

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

Earlier this month, the inspectors allowed examining design proposals that would replace the building’s roof and HVAC system and reinforce the brick exterior.

The current prison is overcrowded, creating safety concerns for both inmates and staff, and some inmates must be held in facilities outside of Johnson County.

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

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

The Criminal Justice Coordination Committee will be comprised of supervisors and community members knowledgeable about the criminal justice system. The list of individuals who will serve on the committee has not yet been finalized.

The committee will meet once a month from October. In addition to discussing the prison’s future, the committee will also explore ways to limit the number of people held there.

The purpose of the committee is “to provide specific recommendations for policymakers regarding applicable policies, procedures, and practices.”

One of the committee members must be a resident outside of the municipal limits of Johnson County.

Linn County bid wins Innovation in Homelessness competition

A Linn County initiative that aims to create an advisory board made up of individuals experiencing homelessness to help inform policy and program development won a competition held in Des Moines this month.

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

The competition sought forward-thinking proposals for preventing and responding to homelessness.

The winning project will receive up to $100,000 in funding to develop a pilot initiative.

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

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

The Equal Housing Alliance is a multi-jurisdictional collaboration of Linn County cities, funders, advocacy groups and nonprofits. It emerged from the derecho disaster response and has continued to identify resources and strategies to address local housing issues.

J’nae Peterman presented alongside Alicia Faust of Willis Dady and Kelsey Culver of Waypoint Services. Peterman served as director of housing services at Waypoint for 10 years. He accepts his current role as homeless systems managerA position jointly funded by the City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County.

“Gaining insight from those with lived experience will allow our community to better understand the barriers to accessing resources in our community,” said Sara Buck, director of housing services for the City of Cedar Rapids. “This understanding will make our programs more accessible to our most vulnerable citizens.”

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

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

For more information about the Homelessness Innovation Incubator Pitch Competition and 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 20-minute walk across the city as part of the Healthiest State Initiative’s 14th annual walk on Wednesday, October 2.

The march will begin at the McGrath Amphitheatre (475 First St. SW) and end at Greene Square.

A free lunch will be provided to all participants by AARP Iowa and outdoor games will be played at the park.

“We encourage all of our residents to participate in this walk, which is designed to promote physical fitness and 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 on Oct. 1.

The free website will feature 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.

Government Notes is published Mondays and includes updates from government bodies across the region. The Gazette’s Grace King, Megan Woolard and Sara Konrad Baranowski contributed.