TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Churchill Downs Inc, the company bringing a casino to Terre Haute, filed an application for approval to build The Queen of Terre Haute Casino Resort on the city’s east side.
The press release and statement from Churchill Downs reads as follows:
“Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or the “Company”) announced today that the Company has filed an application with the Vigo County Area Planning Department (“Planning Department”) to rezone approximately 49 acres located on East Margaret Drive just west of State Road 46. The application seeks approval to rezone the property as a C3 Regional Commerce District in order to begin the development process for the Queen of Terre Haute Casino Resort (“Queen of Terre Haute”). CDI’s proposed location for the development of the Queen of Terre Haute is subject to approval from the Indiana Gaming Commission (“IGC”).
For months, people from across West Central Indiana encouraged us to build the Queen of Terre Haute on the east side of town,” said Jason Sauer, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for CDI. “We listened, and today we’re excited to start down the path to groundbreaking on a nearly 50-acre site that’s easily accessible from I-70 and State Road 46. With continued oversight from the Indiana Gaming Commission, we look forward to taking the final steps in order to make this project a reality and we are prepared to deliver a true destination casino resort to Vigo County.”
The release went on to say that “the initial scope of the Queen of Terre Haute project remains unchanged as a result of the proposed location; however, the larger site may provide additional opportunities for expansion in the future”.
The approximately 400,000-square-foot development is projected to usher a $190 million annual economic impact and create 1000 construction jobs as well as 500 permanent positions.
CDI had previously submitted a plan to build on land west of the Haute City Center off of U.S. 41.
Churchill Downs was named the operator of Terre Haute’s future casino during an Indiana Gaming Commission meeting in November 2021 and was officially issued the license at the IGC’s December 2021 meeting.
CDI’s proposal included the creation of 500 permanent jobs and 1,000 construction jobs through the casino project. Additionally, CDI is expecting to have a revenue of $638.9 million in the first five years of operation.
As far as amenities, the development would include a 10-story luxury hotel, the area’s first rooftop pool and bar, and The Queen of Terre Haute Casino.
There is no official word yet on a groundbreaking for the Queen of Terre Haute.
The Indiana Gaming Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for March 8 at 2 p.m.
