AURORA (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Aurora City Council is betting a move will do the city good, and, last night, the council approved a plan to allow the Hollywood Casino to move to a new location.
The Aurora City Council voted 12-to-0 for the casino relocation plan. The $360 million plan would have a new Hollywood Casino built along I-88 across from the Premium Outlet Mall. It would be on Farnsworth Avenue, on land currently owned by the city of Aurora.
In return for the casino getting that property, the city would get the land where the current casino is along the Fox River downtown.
“We’re energizing, re-energizing our city. We’re re-developing our city. We are re-imagining our city,” Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said.
As part of the plan, the city of Aurora would issue $50 million in bonds, with the money being paid back by property taxes on the new casino.
Although the council overwhelmingly approved the proposal, there were some residents who spoke out against it at last night’s meeting. Resident Shannon Buckley was among them and told council members they should be working in the best interests of Aurora citizens.
“And, when I say ‘our best interests’, I don’t mean what you think our best interests are. I mean what we tell you our best interests are,” Buckley said.
Construction of the new casino is expected to begin late next year.
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