Ready to rock? Construction of temporary Rockford casino approved – Rockford Register Star

ROCKFORD Illinois Gaming Board officials have approved 815 Entertainment LLC's request to begin construction of a temporary Rockford casino.

Construction of the temporary casino could begin in a matter of daysat the former location of Giovanni's Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N. Bell School Road.

"Based on a review of the materials applicant submitted in support of this request along with your representations, and pursuant to the authority delegated to me under the June 11, 2020, Board Resolution … request is hereby approved," Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter wrote in an approval letter obtained by the Rockford Register Star."Applicant may now commence construction at the temporary casino facility."

More: Investors for Hard Rock Casino Rockford granted approval, project takes major step forward

Construction is expected to last about three months. Before it can open however, the casino still must obtain the Gaming Board's permission to operate and receive approval of the casino'ssecurity and surveillance setup.

The 37,790-square-foot restaurant and banquet hall will be transformed into a temporary casino location. Plans are for the location to undergoan estimated$8.8 million renovation. It is expected tofeature736 slot machines, maintain two restaurants and could possibly include a"Rock Shop."

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Mayor Tom McNamara said this is a proud day for Rockford, which is the first of the six new casino locations approved by a 2019 state gambling expansionto begin construction.

"This is a huge accomplishment for our community, and it will bring hundreds of construction jobs to Rockford, McNamara said in a written statement.

The temporary casino could operate for two years while the permanent, $311 millionHard Rock Casino Rockford is under construction. That project must still obtain further permission before construction can begin at the entrance to Interstate 90 and East State Street at the former location of the Clock Tower Resort.

State Sen. Dave Syverson said he has championed a casino in Rockford for 20 years and worked with four mayors, four governors and numerous legislators in an effort to make it a reality.

Syverson said815 Entertainment LLC has made smart moves from the start that have put its proposalin a position to succeed, partneringwith Hard Rock International to operate the casinos andRingland-Johnson Construction to build them. Syverson also gives them credit for havingagreements worked out with local governments and labor unions allowing them to "hit the ground running."

"While I would have loved to have the projectcompleted years ago, in the end, the final project turned out to be even better than we had ever hoped for when we started," Syverson said in an email to the Register Star. "The Hard Rock brand is the most sought after brand in the world and we now have that in Rockford."

Jeff Kolkey: jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey

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Ready to rock? Construction of temporary Rockford casino approved - Rockford Register Star