Developer has 2 casino proposals for Mulvane
March 16, 2009
TOPEKA – Nearly four months after Harrah's withdrew its plans for a state-owned
casino in Sumner County, there is renewed interest in the project. Equity
Ventures of Topeka, which had been an investment partner with Harrah's, is
planning to submit two applications for a resort casino near Mulvane.
Equity Ventures spokeswoman Nancy Seitz said the proposal involves the same
group of Topeka investors associated with Harrah's plan, but would not give
specifics about the Equity proposal. She did say the project would be funded by
cash.
"This partner has extensive gaming experience and is well-capitalized. The
all-cash development will overcome the problems that caused the previous
applicants to withdraw," she said.
Seitz said Equity will propose two locations. One is the former Harrah's site
near the Kansas Turnpike and another is about three miles east of the Turnpike.
She said Equity prefers the turnpike location, but that land is involved in
litigation with the city of Mulvane over annexation.
The deadline for submitting new applications to the Kansas Lottery is April 1.
Although Equity is the first and only company to announce their intentions to
submit a casino application, there may be others according to Ed Van Petten, the
lottery's executive director.
"We have had a number of people calling and asking questions," Van Petten said.
"We always expected we would get applications, but to my knowledge we have had
no names."
Return to Kansas Casinos.