Gilley says Country Crossing facing crossroads
Published: January 3, 2009
Updated: January 4, 2009
Investors have made developer Ronnie Gilley an offer he wants to refuse – to move Country Crossing to casino-friendly Mississippi.
Gilley says he’s committed to keeping the project in Houston County, but investors are nervous about a recent anti-gambling task force created by Gov. Bob Riley.
“We’re 100 percent committed to Houston County,” Gilley said in an exclusive interview with the Eagle Saturday. “There’s no intent of moving the project.”
However, Gilley is leaving his options out there on the table since Riley called a press conference last Monday to announce the creation of an anti-gambling task force, as a response to a recent increase in bingo halls which house casino-like electronic slot machines that are forbidden under state law.
Many entertainment establishments assert their machines are legal under local charity bingo amendments, but the state Supreme Court ruled two years ago that slot machines and slot-like machines are banned by the state Constitution. Questions have arisen regarding the legality of electronic bingo machines and whether local amendments that allow paper bingo apply to electronic bingo. Electronic bingo differs from electronic slot machines in that bingo players compete against one another, where slots players compete against the house.
Some more recent Country Crossing investors reacted to Riley’s announcement by pulling their support, but Gilley said the initial investors remain committed to do the project – regardless of where it has to go.
“I’ve got partners who are furious (with the governor’s action),” he said. “Nothing more could have been done before we started (this project), to clarify state law on bingo. The Attorney Generals’ opinions are clear. We are operating within the parameters of what the Constitution allows.”
The Mississippi offer came from gaming and real estate investor Rick Carter, a Dothan native. Carter said he had considered investing in the Country Crossing project in Dothan, but reconsidered after Riley’s announcement of the task force.
“He’s (Riley) destroying the economic development of Dothan, Alabama, and that’s a sad thing,“ Carter said.
Carter said he has offered to let Gilley develop Country Crossing on property he owns adjacent to a casino in Mississippi or on other property in the state. Gilley identified the casino as the Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport.
Gilley has said he is confident in the legality of electronic bingo in Houston County, and he would like clarification of the governor’s intent.
“If his (Riley’s) intention is to close illegal operations in the state of Alabama –- great,“ Gilley said. “There’s an abundance of illegal operations now. If his intent is to close down electronic bingo, there’s plenty of court cases declaring electronic bingo legal.“
Gilley has already made a major commitment to bringing Country Crossing to Houston County. In October, he bought 375 acres off Highway 231 South at a price of $19.84 million, or about $53,000 per acre.
He estimated the current investment in the project is around $45 million, and said George Jones, a recent Kennedy Center honoree, is committed to building a $9 million Possum Holler dinner theatre.
“What the governor has done, it’s like someone saying they are going to put in a $70 million resort hotel and halfway into construction, the governor says resort hotels are illegal. People may think that’s not a good comparison, but comparing bingo and crystal meth is not a good comparison either.”
After Gilley announced the project last February, a group of loca ministers, mainly Baptist, and area businessmen, came out in opposition to the electronic bingo component, saying it would bring crime and addiction into the community. A number of those business interests are staunch Republicans and considered Riley supporters who usually push for more economic development in the state.
The Country Crossing project is primarily an entertainment venue, but Gilley said the only way the project is doable financially is alongside a funding mechanism like electronic charitable bingo.
“The reality of it is that the entertainment component of it is going to suffer for three to five years,“ Gilley said. “After three to five years, entertainment will outpace the bingo. You have to have a build-up stage. No one’s going to speculate on entertainment in the existing environment.“
The Country Crossing project has been touted as a potential economic powerhouse for Houston County that could provide more than 1,000 jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue and donations to charity from bingo proceeds. Gilley has pledged a minimum of $2 million in bingo proceeds will go to charities each year.
Gilley said it will go – somewhere.
“The people in Mississippi have followed this project from the beginning. This project would work in the Panhandle of Florida where there has been an offer to give us land. It would work on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi,” he said.
Gilley said he has also been contacted by gambling interests in south Florida and in Kansas City, regarding locating Country Crossing there.
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Reader Reactions
I have never posted on here before, but I know Ronnie Gilley, and I am amazed at the jealousy and ignorance demonstrated towards this man. I don’t drink so I don’t go to bars. I don’t bowl so I don’t go to the bowling alley. If you don’t like bingo, stay home! The benefits of this visionary idea far outweigh the negative. I for one say God Bless Ronnie Gilley and all of his endeavors as he tries to do that which he is gifted to do. By the way, I have heard Ronnie Gilley pray about Country Crossings which is obviously far more than most on this site have done! Ronnie, don’t go to Mississippi or Florida. “Bless those that curse you and dispitefully use you.“
Wiregrassboy. you seem to have issues with anger. You’ve mentioned “RoidRage” and Hot-Head. Regarding that last one, can I assume that you can swallow 13 inches without gagging??
“wiregrassboy, that last sentence is the most sensible thing you’ve said…...so, when are you moving?
You and Gilley are acting like lunatics having roid rage. I haven’t heard anyone mention Gilley or Country Crossings in the press except Gilley himself! He is in a panic not because of 1,000 jobs-he’s only worried about his own pocket. Gilley is about to recklessly spend other people’s money on something that may not even be legal! A move to Miss. is a great idea!
To “Wiregrassboy”....Yes, this bingo issue is on shakey ground because of our “ let’s hold Alabama back” gov. Riley. AND, most importantly, there are possibly as many as 1,000 jobs on the line at a time when unemployment is EXTREMELY high. Just what are YOU doing to help Dothan’s unemployment and revenue? Ronnie Gilley’s not the idiot….you are.
This Ronnie Gilley guy is being very reckless with other people’s money. This whole bingo thing is on very shaky ground. Hot Head Gilley is now attacking the Governor and having rallys to divert attention from the law. Investors should be very wary of this idiot.
I personally don’t have any problem with slot machines…I have a problem with Gilly who over-estimates his importance. I never have and never will attend anything or eat anywhere that his name is attached to…and I am not the only one. There are MANY who do the same thing and feel the same way. We have the right to our opinion but it seems when that opinion is expressed he always wants to sit down and talk about it because he can’t seem to stand it when people disagree with him and have strong feelings on the person they believe him to really be….and that is their right to feel that way and think that way. My opinion is that he is out for himself and how “big” he can look. It seems to me the Dothan Eagle can’t find anything else to write about. We’d like to see a week or two go by without reading about something he is doing. And as for the rally…if you didn’t have some “stars” showing up…you wouldn’t have as many people attending. Most of us are not dumb enough to not realize why they will be there. But that is my opinion…and I have the right to express it.
in the Gasdsen Time Fourms
quote:
Originally posted by CSolo40:
Hello, I’m from the Houston County area and a member of WiregrassLive.com and as you may know we have a huge Entertainment development being built that has the electronic bingo element to it, Country Crossing. Developer Ronnie Gilley is having a huge rally possibly on the 24th and the members of WiregrassLive are planning a statewide peaceful protest on the Capital steps the week after the rally. I was told that Gov. Rileys task force affects Gadsden as well, correct me if I heard wrong please. Anyway, we would like to invite anyone that would like to, to band together with us for this protest if you’re sick of the way this state is and has been for years..behind in everything and the laughing stock of the nation. We are very active on WiregrassLive and have a few threads up about the rally, protest etc. so please spread the word if you’re tired of our state government holding us back. You can lurk and read or join which is also free at WGL. Thanks…I’m CSolo40 on WGL.
Hello, I am from Etowah County and I am not supporting your Bingo Development until Ronnie calls off his “lynch man” Troy “the Boy” King form attacking our development. You see, Mr. King wants to “lock up Etowah people” but he gives the green light to Houston’s project. But, Houston we have a problem! You see, if it’s not legal in Etowah it’s not legal in Houston. Etowah County has Amendment 506 legalizing Bingo in the county, Houston has Amendment 569 doing the same. Both amendments are basically the same fundamentally, our amendment provides that the Amendment is self executing, meaning it needs no “enabling legislation” Your Amendment has enabling legislation in Act. 95-420. Well here’s the problem Houston, the enabling legislation Act-95-420 Section (1)a defines the game of Bingo as numbers or symbols on a card! (Card as in paper card). Mr. King has threaten to lock up Etowah Co. people because we have a supplemental local act that defines bingo as being played on a card. So why is it legal in Houston and not in Etowah? Maybe because Mr. Gilley and Troy are BFF (that Best Friends Forever for those not savvy in net language). This is the reason the Governor has stepped in to control the bizarre behavior of our Attorney General. Rest assured, the people in Etowah County are not going to stand by and see our economic opportunity slip away because of politics! So no I am not supportive of your project, I
Didn’t see that previous post. Saves me a lot of time. Please I would invite you to check the website out as will certainly eliminate the myths in a profound manner. Remember that study was demanded by members of Congress who oppose the gaming industry! Paid for by our tax dollars. Never the less we’ll still follow up with some local stats as well. Those will be even more shocking I can assure you.
Again sorry for my rudeness in prior post. It just seemed some were taking pot shots at a much needed postive economic stimulus package for Houston County, Alabama!
Jkolkman…..first of all…let me apologize for calling you Mr. Righteous. I acted out of frustation in response to your untrue comments. With that being said we will refute all of your accusations over the next few days. One of which I’ll refute now…I’ve never said this project will work without bingo. In fact I’ve said on numerous occassions….in todays market…this project would be impossible without the bingo component. While at the same time, I’ve said…I truly feel….within three to five years we feel the entertainment aspect will outpace the bingo. But let me make it very clear once again…Bingo is the economic facilitator for the project. This difference between this DEVELOPMENT and others bingo halls in the state is our bingo pavillion will serve as a vehicle to deliver a major expasion of trade and commerce throughout this region. Now if you choose not to believe….that’s your choice. All I ask again is that you at least learn a little about the project before you jump all over it with falsehoods or should I say, your perception.
With your comments, you obviously don’t know anything about me nor do you know anything about the broad scope of Country Crossing. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion. All I ask is that you reserve making uncertain statements until you know exactly what you are talking about. I would be more than happy to sit down with you and or a group of your liking to present the project in it’s entirety just as I have for many others, including church groups.
We would much prefer to be non-combative in our debates. I will control my emotions from hence foward.
You can look forward to responses to your data in regard to crime, economy, and etc., etc. over the next few days. Sorry I’ve not responded before now but I’ve been somewhat occupied.
To most everyone else…Thanks for your continued support. And let’s all try to be a bit more civil. Sorry for my indulgence.
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