By Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio
ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Board of Aldermen has given its approval to plans for a casino at the foot of the old Chain of Rocks bridge. However, today's vote does not guarantee the casino will get built.
It's up to the Missouri Gaming Commission to decide which, if any, of three cities gets the state's open gaming license. It's expected to rule by the end of the year.
But Alderwoman Dionne Flowers said the timing was not an effort to lobby the Commission by showing how much political support a casino has.
"I have to be responsible enough to get this agreement in place to make sure that the things that will protect the residents of the second ward," Flowers said, "The revenue coming to the city of St. Louis and the state is there."
The legislation requires the developer, the Koman family, to give $200,000 to the second ward for public works projects. The company must also work with the Missouri Department of Transportation to improve surrounding roads.
Mayor Francis Slay is expected to sign the measure.