Pinnacle Plans BR Casino/Hotel

[BRPJ]

Is it just me, or does this rendering look whimpy. I expected this would be a very grand project, but looks like we could do just fine with the 2 river boats. I think, everyone should vote no. Like some one else said, if one of the casinos downtown closes, it will be less downtown entertainment.

[tombarnes]

As I have said before, casinos will generally build as much as they think they are required to in a given market. Whil;e it would be nice to see something spectacular, at this point I don't think it will happen. Perhaps this will come in time as the market matures. Casino companioes sometimes respond to pressure from a city or town, but not in every case. What are everyone's feelings about the relative strength of the market in Baton Rouge?

[richyb83]

Don't think BR can support a 3rd casino; a vote of "NO" for me. I'm not impressed with Pinnacle's plans either. It's funny how the boats want to finally upgrade after all this time, but only after Pinnacle announces thier plans.

Before I was sure EBR would vote this project down 2/1...however it might be alot closer to 50/50.

[dan326]

Actaully I don't care if the boat gets built, I just want the neighborhood and retail.

[cajun]

I've changed my mind. If it's not downtown or on Nicholson in old south, then I don't think it belongs.

[twstdndmntd]

We're getting quite a few "NO" votes on this thread. I think it's going to be a hard sell when it's going to come time for the parish wide vote.

[bobby255BR]

I also changed my mind. I believe that Pinnacle is only going to build the casino and hotel and short change Baton Rouge on the rest of the plan. I really doubt that they are going to build a resort and I can't risk them knocking one of the other casinos out of the market with some make shift casino in the burbs. For one, whe need as much entertainment downtown as possible. Secondly, they will only create more traffic in a highly congested area. So they get a "NO" from me.

[cajun]

We're getting quite a few "NO" votes on this thread. I think it's going to be a hard sell when it's going to come time for the parish wide vote.

Let them put it in WEst Baton Rouge. Plenty of space near the bridge for their golf course and expansive complex.

A hotel tower would look cool in Brusly overlooking the river, LSU, and downtown.

[richyb83]

In "Readers Views" in the back of the Metro section one said it well titled "Casino approval betrays public"; Pinnacle is being severly misleading with talk of a destination resort!

Pinnacle showed a presentation that included scenes from Seaside and Watercolor resorts on the beach in Florida. What was actually proposed last weeks Gaming Control meeting was just a casino, parking lot, and a "microtel" sized hotel!

A hotel tower in WBR/Brusly overlooking LSU area would be fantastic; but by judging these renderings Pinnacle is too cheap to go "vertical". Nothing in a rendering I have seen looked more than 8-stories?? Maybe even 6 with the pint-sized hotel.

I would like to see RiverCenter get a hotel tower!

[tombarnes]

Pinnacle may well have an attractive property in Lake Charles, but their example in Biloxi is extremely poor. Even with a hotel (as yet unbuilt), the Boomtown Casino does nothing more than dredge the murky depths of the market there. I fear this would do the same for Baton Rouge. As witnessed at the the former Casino Magic property in Biloxi and L'Auberge du Lac , there is hope for something better, but only if the market dictates it, or if the people in a given location demand it. Unbidden to do more, they will likely build a hotel in the 100-200 room range and concentrate upon the casino revenue and forget any other promises they have made. Only concentrated growth in the market would portend more for this project. I agree that this may hurt Baton Rouge more than helping the city in any way. The suburban location promotes sprawl and does absolutely zero for the downtown entertainment district. Kill this project while the killing's good.

[dan326]

I really like the neighborhood. I wish they could just build that. From what was originally planned, this new casino plan is crap.

[twstdndmntd]

I agree I much rather take my chances with the 2 casinos we already have than take the chance of losing both for one make shift "resort". At least with the 2 we have now we know what we got with them. At least with the Pinnacle proposition it is forcing them to upgrade and expand. I think in the end we will be much better off with the 2 downtown.

[buckett5425]

Pinnacles plans for the new casino seem pretty nice and they would be a great boost to the south BR economy. BUT, if i could vote in EBRP i would still vote NO. Pinnacle's plans arnt in stone, and they wont promise anything other then a measly casino. Its not worth another crappy casino at the cost of putting one of the two downtown casinos out of business. If Pinnacle was going to build the new resort in one phase, then it might be worth sacrificing one of the downtown casinos, but they arnt, they are a joke, and I have no respect for this company anymore. But, for those of you who havnt been to lauberge du lac, i recomend you go, to see what COULD have been, but will never happen here in br. I only hope that the rest of the voting public knows the facts and votes NO.

[twstdndmntd]

Pinnacles plans for the new casino seem pretty nice and they would be a great boost to the south BR economy. BUT, if i could vote in EBRP i would still vote NO. Pinnacle's plans arnt in stone, and they wont promise anything other then a measly casino. Its not worth another crappy casino at the cost of putting one of the two downtown casinos out of business. If Pinnacle was going to build the new resort in one phase, then it might be worth sacrificing one of the downtown casinos, but they arnt, they are a joke, and I have no respect for this company anymore. But, for those of you who havnt been to lauberge du lac, i recomend you go, to see what COULD have been, but will never happen here in br. I only hope that the rest of the voting public knows the facts and votes NO.

I agree completely buckett. We aren't going to get everything they are promising. I really think it's going to be a hard sell for them. I have a hard time thinking that they are going to get the majority to vote YES. I think the point needs to be stressed that the whole development WON'T be built at the same time that its going to be in phases and they don't have to do anything else but the casino if they don't want. Did you guys see in the BR Business Report that they submitted an application for a casino/resort in Kansas City. LOL. I think it's a back up for ours. LOL

[dan326]

This campaign is getting hot! It's funny to get those desperate anti-Pinnacle fliers in the mail everyother day. My favorite was the one with the ministers and the one with the clogged 10 lane interstate.

Well, the vote is coming up and I really think Pinnacle is going to win,even with their pitiful "resort". If you notice they never put renderings of Riviere in advertising. They only show L'Auberge du Lac which is kind of like comparing an apple to a raisin. Altleast whatever they do, it will probably be better than the other two.

Just so ya'll will remember how far they've fallen :

Then:

Square footage: 100,000 sq ft gambling barge with 6 restaurants and live music venue

Description: Casino/ 300 room hotel

Now:

Square footage: 70,000 sq ft gambling barge with 4 restaurants and live music venue

Description: Casino/100 room hotel

[buckett5425]

I think the Anti-Pinnacle commericals have been taking the wrong approach. No one cares about them moving river road. But im sure if in their commericials they talked about how they have been a catalyst for redeveolping the down town river front, and how Pinnacle is going to take away from that, and just bring traffic to the suburbs, that will get people talking. I have friends who know nothing about development, but they love being in a downtown atmosphere, and evertime they see something else being built in the suburbs they say," to bad they arnt building that downtown." So I feel if the casinos ran an add about brining development downtown, and Pinnacle is taking away from that, that it would appeal to a lot of people who that that the revitilization of down town is more important.

[all2neat]

Did anyone notice that the boats are trying to say that it isn't about money.. I call BS. I personally haven't made up my mind. I don't think people care about "Historic River Road". I haven't lived in BR that long but what makes it soooo historic that it can't be touched, it's not bourbon street we're talking about here. roads change, usually for the better .

I do think that 3 casino's can survive, if they start to go more Mississippi style they may possibly start to draw people outside of the area. If the boats end up upgrading their locations it could end up being a good thing for the city.

[yis2003yis]

When they changed...my answer was NO......but i thought about it....It don't matter if they changed...it's still going to be better than the 2 we have.....think about it...how long have the 2 boats been downtown...????? and how much more did they change?????? other than a few name changes and paint jobs...they are basically still the same....i seen a AD with them sayin the new casino will not do any thing to help traffic..okkkkkkk what changes have yall noticed along river road downtown???....i positive my eyes work correct and i don't see 3 lanes by any casino....so basically the No New Casino people are full of dog left overs....the only one i have seen A little progress from is the Belle of Baton Rouge...it's comming alone

and another thing....CASINO'S ARE QUIET....so it won't effect the neighborhood like people talk.....and i think it's going to help downtown grow.....Highland and nicholson ...are going to be 2 prime areas to develop and assist downtown....so to me any development is good...people might complain..but when local conviences come and feed off the growing area..they'll learn to be thankfull in the long run.....

houston was just like that...they put things in the middle of the burbs..but over time..people are glad they put it there because they don't have to drive the extra 20 miles to do or get something

[richyb83]

How will Pinnacle help Downtown grow when it's at least 10 miles away??

All the Gambling Companies are shady IMO. It's ironic the other two boats do nothing until they hear there might be some competition from Pinnacle.

Pinnacle trips me out how they blow their smoke. They flaunt those TV-commercials with their BIG fancy La'Barge du Lac high-rise hotel in Lake Charles; while good ole' BR get it's 100-room pint-sized "micro" Motel 6! Fact is that TEXAS has made gaming "Both" SBC & LC what they are today! BR will not draw those people. They will be comprised of the locals that already hit the other two boats.

They lure others (voters) that are on-the-fence with "resort" and "entertainment" talk. Prove it! If Phase I is all that is ever built; the suckers will be complaining. Just like they complain about what the other two boats promised; but never delivered The WBR riverfront somewhere between Port Allen & Brusly may be their best shot??

I don't gamble. Easy Vote "NO" for me. The location is just too stupid. If it were closer downtown to the other boats it might be different; but that ain't happening. All 5? of SBC's Casino's are within eye-view of each other. They set that up right; and now look.... they have the nicest Riverfront in the state and much of the region.

[drew6974]

How will Pinnacle help Downtown grow when it's at least 10 miles away??

All the Gambling Companies are shady IMO. It's ironic the other two boats do nothing until they hear there might be some competition from Pinnacle.

Pinnacle trips me out how that blow their smoke. They flaunt those TV-commercials with their BIG fancy La'Barge du Lac high-rise hotel in Lake Charles; while good ole' BR get it's 100-room pint-sized "micro" Motel 6! Fact is that TEXAS has made gaming "Both" SBC & LC what they are today! BR will not draw those people. They will be comprised of the locals that already hit the other two boats.

They lure others (voters) that are on-the-fence with "resort" and "entertainment" talk. Prove it! If Phase I is all that is ever built; the suckers will be complaining. Just like they complain about what the other two boats promised; but never delivered The WBR riverfront somewhere between Port Allen & Brusly may be their best shot??

I don't gamble. Easy Vote "NO" for me. The location is just too stupid. If it were closer downtown to the other boats it might be different; but that ain't happening. All 5? of SBC's Casino's are within eye-view of each other. They set that up right; and now look.... they have the nicest Riverfront in the state and much of the region.

I am for the casino. Like you Richie, I don't gamble and will probably never step foot in any of the casinos, not because of religious reasons, I just know it's a losing proposition.

I am voting for Pinnacle for the simple reason that as long as we have gambling, I say the more the merrier. Competition is good for any business. Look at the other two boats already planning on upping the ante with improved facilites. If Pinnacle is voted down, the next day you will see any planned improvements canceled. Also, if Pinnacle is voted down, they will simply move down Nicholson Drive to St. Gabriel then EBR will still have all the problems but none of the revenues.

[BRPJ]

I'm against it. First off because I don't liek the location. I think Downtown is the place to be right now, or at least as a city thats what we should be moving towards. Building pinnacle on bluebonnet is going to move attraction away from downtown because its out of the way, and it will more than likely make one of the other boats close. I think city offficials and ddd should have gained up on them and made it towhere they had to build it along the river either in dwtn, or on the west bank of the rive in port allen otherwise said no all together. They tried to be slick and theyve sized down their development plans. I mean, i think even on bluebonnet overall it helps the city, but they need to do it our way, not theirs.

[byrde]

I'm voting for Pinnacle. Like many of you I'm not a gambler. (Too Cheap) BUT the boats downtown have really done nothing to attract the person like me that will go for the entertainment and other activities. The Belle used to bring in boxing and a few live bands to perform in the atrium. They don't do that anymore. If Pinnacle comes in and can attract big name entertainment, then this will force the other boats to step up to get folks like me, richy and drew down to their establishments. This is a win-win for all. Nothing like some good competition.

[twstdndmntd]

I vote NO!!! Simply b/c of the location. I think it's a crappy location. We went to SBC this past weekend. I love all of their hotel towers with their casinos. I really wish the two casino's downtown would have those kind of hotels with them. Just imagine what it would look like coming across the river and seeing big massive hotels with lights all over them. Talk about spice of the downtown area. I think it's hillarious how Pinnacle shows the casino tower in LC. They make it seem like we are getting that, when in all actuality we aren't getting anything close to that. We have bigger hotels around the city that isn't attached to a casino, so how does that make theirs special. It doesn't, there simply isn't anything special about it. It's not a resort, it's not a main attraction for big entertainment.......for me it's just another boat.

[dan326]

I think it's hillarious how Pinnacle shows the casino tower in LC. They make it seem like we are getting that, when in all actuality we aren't getting anything close to that. We have bigger hotels around the city that isn't attached to a casino, so how does that make theirs special. It doesn't, there simply isn't anything special about it. It's not a resort, it's not a main attraction for big entertainment.......for me it's just another boat.

That was the exact same thing I was thinking. We alreay have multiple 300+ room hotels,including one at te Belle(altough not a Belle hotel) so why can't they do it?

[richyb83]

Pinnacle wins Our poor entertainment starved city

YES 56%

NO 44%