By Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO – Great Rivers Greenway and a company trying to build a casino at the foot of the old Chain of Rocks Bridge have reached an agreement to swap land.
The Koman Group, which owns the Casino Queen, struck a deal with Great Rivers Greenway to swap land in exchange for a variety of bridge and trail improvements.
The deal involves swapping land that Great Rivers owns along Riverview Drive for nearly 12 acres that Koman owns on the Mississippi.
Great Rivers Executive Director Susan Trautman says the deal is good news for the public, regardless of what happens with the Casino.
"They've agreed to pay for better public access, a better trail system, bridge amenities and improvements and security and safety," says Trautman. "So, if the casino happens all of these things will occur. If it doesn't happen than we finally get to buy this property that we have been interested in for some time."
If Koman's casino application is not approved by the state gaming commission, the company has agreed to sell the riverfront property to Great Rivers anyway.
The state is expected to award Missouri's 13th gaming license later this year.