Penn National Gaming releases proposed exterior design of casino - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Penn National Gaming released new renderings of the exterior of the proposed $807 million casino and hotel development to be located in the north end of Springfield on Monday. 

The new design includes an outdoor patio dining area as well as plaza area outside the entrance to the hotel creating a more seamless link between the casino, Main Street and downtown Springfield.

"A major focus of our project is ensuring that it is about more than just the casino, and results in new economic development that cascades down Main Street into the heart of the downtown," said Penn National Gaming President and COO Tim Wilmott.  "We believe one of the benefits of the updated design is that it will link the casino and hotel more seamlessly to Main Street and encourage visitors to venture into the downtown area."    

Penn National has been in negotiating with the city on a host agreement for several weeks.  The updated design incorporates feedback provided to Penn National by the city during that process. 

It also eliminates the sky bridges that linked the casino and hotel to Union Station and the Paramount Theater.  Those changes were also made at the suggestion of the city.

Penn National has proposed an $807 million, single-phase, comprehensive economic development project that includes a Hollywood-branded destination casino resort.  Penn National is partnering with Chief Executive Officer of Springfield-based Peter Pan Bus Lines, Peter Picknelly,  on the project that would occupy 13.4 acres of land and be located on Main Street in the north end of Springfield.

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