Billionaire casino mogul Phil Ruffin wants to build a massive nightclub that will be familiar to fans of the 1980 hit movie “Urban Cowboy,” a film that brought cowboy hats, line dancing, mechanical bulls and pearl-snap shirts to the mainstream. Gilley’s Dance Hall and Saloon, a replica of the popular Texas honky-tonk featured in “Urban Cowboy,” would open as early as fall 2024 as part of a $128 million Golden Circle casino redevelopment at the defunct Wichita Greyhound Park, which has been closed since 2007 after voters rejected a plan to allow slot machines at the track. Ruffin also would build a 110-room hotel near the casino and dance hall after renovations were completed. The plan hinges on a decision expected Thursday from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. Ruffin is seeking approval for a license to operate 1,000 historical horse racing machines to make the rest of the project economically viable. Ruffin is the last remaining applicant after one dropped out and another was disqualified.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Although many in Hutchinson are not seeing the day-to-day progress, there are large investors looking at heading to the Salt City. The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is taking phone calls, giving tours and fixing prospective business leaders up with options. Several businesses are looking at locating in the Kansas Enterprise Industrial Park as well as the recently closed Sonoco Hutchinson Paper Mill, although the building has not come on the market yet.
Source: Hutch News

Housing a healthy inmate costs $100 a day at the Shawnee County Jail but about half that at the Anderson County Jail in Garnett, 75 miles southeast of Topeka, says Shawnee County Commissioner Kevin Cook. Speaking at a work session focusing on the budget of the county’s corrections department, Cook suggested Shawnee County try to save money by keeping some of its inmates in the Anderson County Jail. After learning later that the Anderson County Jail houses only 48 inmates and therefore might not be of much help, Cook said Shawnee County could still cut costs by keeping some inmates at other jails in northeast Kansas that might be willing to take them.
Source: CJonline

Newton City Manager Kelly McElroy has announced she will leave her position in October after seven years of service to the Newton community. McElroy has been city manager since January 2020. She joined the Newton staff in October 2016, first as community development director, city planner and historic preservation officer, and later as assistant city manager. “It has been an honor and pleasure to work for the City of Newton and the community,” McElroy said. “I am very proud of our staff team that has strong ambition, creativity, and servant leader hearts. The leadership the City Commission has provided us over the past several years has been invaluable. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals serving, focusing on big picture endeavors, and leading the community into a rapid growth mode.” As city manager, McElroy led the City through the COVID-19 pandemic, construction of a new public pool, the new Railer Field at Centennial Park, a new Newton Public Library, remodel of the Law Enforcement Center, the City’s Sesquicentennial celebration, and a surge in new residential, commercial and industrial development in the community.
Source: City of Newton