Nebraska: Lincoln casino project scales down building plans for commercial use

On Wednesday, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission unanimously approved a request for an amendment to the Southwest Village Planned Unit Development (PUD), which includes Lincoln’s casino project at the Lincoln Race Course, in Nebraska.

The amendment submitted asks to scale-down building plans for the area, shrinking the land allotted for commercial use as the original amount is no longer necessary for the updated casino construction plan, KLKN reports. “It ultimately is a reduction in commercial, even though we now have a new casino use in the big picture, there’s a reduction of commercial uses, more dwelling units,” said Attorney Andrew Willis on behalf of the applicant.

Nebraska HBPA Executive Vice President Lynne McNally said Warhorse Gaming was keeping their employees and local property owners in mind when they made the change. With 500 to 600 new hires expected to move in once the casinos open up, McNally says they want to leave land for potential housing developments.

“We’re hoping that people will take advantage of the opportunity to maybe put in multifamily housing or something like that because we’re definitely going to need it for those new workers coming into the community,” said McNally. “I did hear that there are some convenience, grocery store type establishments that are interested in going into this area. I would also hope that they would do that because we’re going to be in need of those kinds of services for our workers and the rest of the employees in that surrounding area."

The amendment also proposes adjusting entrances to better serve traffic.

Despite plans to minimize construction, Warhorse Gaming plans to utilize every square foot. Up to 1,210 gaming positions, a hotel, multiple restaurants, and a spa are still expected to be added to the Lincoln Race Course.