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Casino breaks groud for six-Story hotel

In spite of gusty winds and a threat of thunderstorms, Century Casino held a ground-breaking ceremony for a new hotel Thursday. One of three groups of city and casino officials and employees participating in the ground-breaking ceremony is pictured. Photo by Gregory Dullum

Century Casino in Downtown Cape Girardeau will have the addition of a six-story hotel by the end of next year.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held Thursday, May 26, at the front entrance of the casino. The event was planned for the construction site in the parking lot on the south side of the casino, but gusty winds and a threat of rain forced the event to be moved to a more protected location.

“This day, May 26, 2022, not only marks the construction of a new building, but will signify a change in the landscape of our community for decades to come,” said Lyle Randolph, vice president of operations for the casino.

The hotel will rise well above the flood wall, providing guests a view of the Mississippi River.

The general contractor for the hotel will be Penzel Construction in Jackson. The hotel will stand on the site of a former landmark that was also built by Penzel Construction over a century ago — the shoe factory. The factory stood for about 80 years before it fell into disrepair in the 1980s and was demolished.

Eleven years ago, shovels broke ground for the casino complex, which operated under other ownership until it was purchased by Century Casinos in 2019.

The first floor of the hotel will house the hotel lobby and conference rooms. The upper five floors will contain 69 rooms with suites on the top floor.

A new entrance will have an impressive curved stairway.

The estimated cost of the project is $26 million.

“As we break ground today, we are building for the future. We are building in hopes that it will inspire others in the neighborhood to do the same,” Randolph said.

“We are building a magnificent space that will enhance the life of our community. We are building a place that will exceed the expectation of our guests for years to come.”

Gregory Dullum has worked for The Cash-Book Journal for more than 25 years. Prior to becoming the editor in May 2017, he was production manager, circulation manager and reporter. Before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1988, he was editor of the Saint Louis Park Sailor, a weekly community newspaper in suburban Minneapolis, MN. A native of Minnesota, he returned there after graduating with distinction in 1978 from Ambassador College in Pasadena, CA, with a degree in mass communications. His wife, Marie, whom he met in college, is a native of Zalma, a small town in southeast Missouri. They have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. Gregory may be reached at cashbook@mvp.net.

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