TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With new developments such as the casino and convention center, Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennet said he expects 1.5 million visitors to the city within the next few years.
Bennett made the remarks during the 2020 City Update held Wednesday.
He told the audience that when the City made a community plan years ago, “nothing really happened.”
“You’re going to start seeing things happen,” he said. “The key is that we are all working together.”
Casino
One of the biggest developments happening in Terre Haute is the casino.
Bennett said the casino will only lead to “bigger and better things” for the community.
If the casino hits its goals, the city would get about $9 million after its first year in operations, according to Bennett.
The Indiana Gaming Commission will be in Terre Haute Feb. 7 for a public meeting regarding the only application submitted for the Terre Haute casino license.
Convention Center
The other big development is a convention center. The plan has been to locate the building on Wabash Avenue between the Hilton Garden Hill Hotel and the Copper Bar.
According to Bennett, the initial second parking garage was removed from the plan because the cost was more than anticipated to build it on such a small footprint.
The City is now looking into solutions to the parking issue.
One solution would be to tear down the Copper Bar and Terminal to shift the footprint down further; however, Bennett said that is a solution he would like to avoid. Another solution would be to build a parking structure where the Vigo County School Corporation administrative building currently stands.
The Hilton Garden Inn will not sign off on the project until the parking issue is resolved.
Terre Haute Police Department
Bennett said plans to move the Terre Haute Police Department to the former Tribune Star building are “one a good track.”
Nine new police officers were hired in 2019, and there is a plan to hire eight more.
Bennett also noted violent crimes were down in 2019; however there was an increase in property crimes.
Terre Haute Fire Department
Bennett addressed an issue with overtime at the Terre Haute Fire Department. He noted the department requested thousands of dollars be added to its budget to cover overtime costs.
According to Bennett, the department will be hiring 16 additional firefighters to cut back on overtime.
Six new firefighters were hired in 2019. Overall, the department responded to more than 10,000 calls.
