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Cedar Crossing Casino Project Gathers Momentum
CEDAR RAPIDS — The leadership behind the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center aims to attract visitors from all over Iowa, beginning with the construction workforce.
The $275 million development kicked off this spring in northwest Cedar Rapids, with construction sites bustling as numerous workers in neon vests and hard hats navigate the area.
Many of the workers live nearby, a strategic choice by project leaders. Notably, 96% of the over $40 million in contracts awarded thus far have gone to Iowa-based companies.
Chief Development Officer Stefan Huba of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the project’s parent company, stated, “We strive to become part of the community’s fabric. The economic growth from this project is intended to benefit the local area.”
Upon completion, Cedar Crossing will feature 700 slot machines, 22 table games, a variety of dining options, bars, and entertainment facilities, including a STEM lab for children and a venue for 1,500 attendees.
The opening is scheduled for December 31, 2026. Work crews are diligently progressing to keep the project on track, having finished site preparation this spring and already erecting several interior walls using precast concrete from Des Moines.
Building Local Connections
Ryan Companies from Cedar Rapids serves as the general contractor, facilitating the bidding process for various construction tasks.
Huba emphasized that partnering with a local contractor like Ryan enhances their ability to utilize local connections effectively. Many regional firms, such as Hawkeye Electric, Modern Piping, and King’s Materials, are already involved.
Vice President of Development Kim Pang noted that P2E’s existing relationships from previous Iowa casino projects in Dubuque, Sioux City, and Northwood are valuable assets, allowing them to quickly engage familiar vendors and partners.
The Cedar Crossing project is projected to create approximately 800 construction jobs over its 18-month duration. Pang mentioned a commitment to prioritizing labor and materials from Linn County before looking to the broader Iowa area and then other regions or national markets.
Support from the City
Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell of Cedar Rapids praised the ongoing construction of the casino during a recent editorial board meeting, indicating that this significant investment could stimulate further development in the city’s west side.
The city recently secured $25 million in federal funding for flood control on the west end, which O’Donnell connected directly to the casino development’s promise.
Developers have committed to a minimum valuation of $50 million for the casino, projected to yield around $2 million annually in local property taxes and pledge 8% of net adjusted gross revenues to charitable organizations.
Planned infrastructure improvements will also support the site. This includes the integration of a flood-control levee, a reconstruction of F Avenue for better traffic flow, and a new roundabout at the casino entrance for enhanced safety.
