If a landowner is unwilling to sell, however, the power of eminent domain allows the board to condemn the land. They offered me less money than what I paid for the property. Boonville City Administrator, Steve Goehl, has said that Davis Gaming has offered to relocate Beach's business or to purchase it. Goehl claims that 43 of the 45 property owners have agreed to Davis' offers. Only options are being taken now by the redevelopment authority, no purchases have been made.
Casinos are attractive to riverfront towns for the redevelopment potential they offer.
As in the case of Boonville, Davis Gaming has offered to rebuild the riverside area to include a park area, facilities and an amphitheater. It's been established to redevelop blighted areas. It is an effective economic development tool. And it attracts investors and creates jobs for the city. Although Boonville is the only city where eminent domain is currently being employed by casinos, it has been proposed for the Laclede Landing casino in St. Louis.