By Ted Schnell • BocaJump | Jan. 25, 2012
Elgin officials will be asked this week to consider joining with the Grand Victoria Casino in conducting a market demand study for a multipurpose facility and entertainment complex in Festival Park, which is immediately north of the casino.
Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal said Monday that the Grand Victoria will reimburse the city for the $45,000 study, which he described as a partnership with the riverboat.
Elgin officials still are keeping an eye on Hemmens Cultural Center, which occupies the western portion of Civic Center Plaza. Opened in 1969, the building is showing its age and is growing more expensive to maintain. Some in the community would like to replace it with a more modern facility that is better designed both for use by visitors and for acoustics, which determine the quality of sound in its auditorium.
"We're interested in doing this because the Hemmens is at a point of functional obsolescence, they've expressed an interest in potentially doing something, so we're partnering with these guys ... and running ahead with the study right now," Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal said Monday.
Elgin management analyst Aaron Cosentino said the city's home rule procurement process gives it greater flexibility in the selection of consultants for professional services for such a study. Given that a substantial component of the market demand study will focus on the continued feasibility of Hemmens Cultural Center, the city chose to procure the consultant and partner with the Grand Victoria Casino for the costs, he said.
The city once looked at rebuilding Hemmens as a performing arts center near the new Gail Borden Public Library, but Kozal said the study of that proposal indicated the price would be prohibitive.
"They were shooting for the heavens on that one," Kozal said. "This is scaled down considerably more."
According to the staff memo to the City Council on the item, the Grand Victoria Casino has identified Hospitality and Gaming Solutions as its preferred consultant to perform the market demand study. As part of its analysis, the memo states, Hospitality and Gaming Solutions will:
Conduct a kickoff meeting and gather data.
Analyze demographic and economic characteristics
Analyze existing and planned facilities in the region
Conduct interviews and surveys with area stakeholders and potential user groups
Analyze data from comparable facilities
Develop estimate of the potential usage event activity and capture rates
Develop a financial pro forma
Analyze the functional obsolescence of the Hemmens Cultural Center
Determine the incremental impact on gaming revenue
Prepare a written report and conduct a work session
The city and the Grand Victoria Casino then will use the information in the Hospitality and Gaming Solutions market demand study to explore viable options for a new multipurpose facility.
