Developer
plans Natchez casino
As reported by The Associated Press
NATCHEZ
- The developer of a new casino in Natchez says he will present
his plans to Mississippi gaming regulators in February.
Charles Cato,
president of Emerald Star Casino, hopes to buy the Ramada Hilltop
and the Briars bed and breakfast and locate the 35,000-square-foot
dockside casino just south of the Mississippi River bridge.
The site plan is
the first step in gaining approval for a casino license.
In addition,
Cato said he has an "agreement in principle" to acquire
the Ramada and the Briars - a document he said was signed Friday.
He said the deals should be final on or before April 1.
Ramada representatives
could not be reached for comment, and Bob Canon, co-owner of the
Briars, would not comment.
Cato said he plans
to upgrade rooms and the interior of the lobby at the Ramada. Any
changes to the Briars would be strictly routine maintenance and cosmetic
touches, he said.
Mississippi
Gaming Commission regulations require casino developers to invest
at least as much in land-based development as they do in their casinos.
Cato had talked
with Natchez officials about locating a casino at the city-owned
Roth Hill property and using three other on-the-hill properties
for, among other things, a convention center hotel.
Mayor F. L. "Hank"
Smith said he welcomes a new business to the city whether or not it's
on city-owned property.
"I welcome
him as a business and an employer who's going to create up to 400
jobs," he said. "It means he has faith in Natchez and
is continuing with plans to do something here. I wish him well,
and any way we can assist him in putting his deal together and getting
him up and running, we want to do that."
Cato has said the
casino will have about 800 slot machines and 30 table games. |