RESIDENTS SAY RIVERBOAT HAS BOOSTED METROPOLIS

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Thanks to the Players Riverboat Casino in Metropolis, Alice Snider has become an entrepreneur at age 71.

She runs a small antique store in the new Ferry Street Mall, a collection of arts and crafts and collectible shops near the floating casino.

The mall opened because of increased traffic along Ferry Street, Snider said. The traffic is headed to the riverboat, but Snider hopes some visitors will stop to take a look at her items.

"It's still too new to tell what the impact will be, but people are saying we might become another Silver Dollar City," she said. "I just know that so far it has been positive."

Snider, along with a couple hundred local residents, turned out Saturday to learn about Players International's plans for a new hotel and theater on Metropolis' riverfront.

While waiting for celebrities Merv Griffin and Ava Gabor and Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to arrive, local folks remarked about gambling and the impact the riverboat has had on the city.

Officials with the riverboat say it has added more than $12 million in annual payroll to the local economy. About 5 percent of the casino's revenue is pumped back into the city.

Metropolis Mayor Bill Kommer said 600 to 700 new jobs have been created and the city has already gained $1 million in new money.

He said not everyone is happy with the gambling operation. But, he said, no substantial increase in crime has occurred.

As Metropolis residents have watched gambling bring new jobs and increased activity to their city, they have kept tabs on the riverboat gambling issue in Cape Girardeau. Several mentioned they were pleased that voters had turned down the issue earlier this month.

"I don't really want competition from the Cape," said Snider. "But if your people need jobs, this could be a good thing."

Gary Kidd, president of the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce, said, he too watched Cape Girardeau's gambling vote with interest.

"It's wonderful," Kidd said, regarding the investment at Metropolis. "Players International has helped develop jobs and provide economic prosperity for our community.

"I don't think it will work everywhere. I do think there can be a glut in the market."

But he thinks it works in Metropolis.

"We have some new businesses and some face lifts and all kinds of plans on the timetable. And it's all due to the riverboat," Kidd said.

Among new establishments since the opening of the riverboat are the Ferry Street Mall, Metropolis Comics, Fast Eddie's restaurant, The Dairy bar and grill, and Riverboat Deli.

Many other establishments have remodeled or at least spruced up the exterior of their businesses.

Farm land outside the city is for sale, and business leaders predict new developments on the way.

Jim Hambrink brought his Superman collection, which he says is the largest on the planet, to Metropolis.

"I moved here from California to open a Superman museum," Hambrink said. He's been collecting Superman items for 32 years, since he was 6 years old.

"I have been keeping my eye on Metropolis since 1972," Hambrink said. "I saw the world watching Metropolis. With all the activity, I decided it was time to come.

"I think there is a big wave to ride here," Hambrink said. "In 10 years, this will be a new city."

His new museum opens in July.

On Saturday, he was painting his museum building, across the street from Metropolis' new Superman statue.

The 15-foot, 4,400 pound cast-bronze statue replaces a worn-out fiberglass model at Superman square. Hambrink bought the old statue for his collection.

"People are proud of the new statue. They are excited about Metropolis again," he said.

While many of the people coming to Metropolis head directly to the riverboat casino, entrepreneurs are working on a way to bring those customers off the boat and into town on shopping trips.

"We are trying to get parking spots up here by the Superman statue for the tour buses," Hambrink said. "I think people here are all working together, and that's got to be good for the city."

Alys McDaniel, a resident of Metropolis for 55 years, agreed. "We've always been just a little town along the river. This seems to be having a good impact on our town.

"It is making jobs for people, and businesses we hope will be improving," McDaniel said. "It's hard to tell if it really will be good for the city in the long run, but I hope it will be good."

McDaniel is District 7 director of the Illinois Council of Garden Clubs. While waiting for the appearance by Griffin and Gabor Saturday, McDaniel noticed the riverfront area needed a little pruning. "We have some work to do down here," she said.

Dyal Kinser brought his lawn chair down to the riverfront Saturday. He thought he'd catch sight of the celebrities. But Kinser was more interested in the business proposition being unveiled. He's curious to see what's next.

Kinser said, "I feel even if the boat left next month, it has helped Metropolis. Of course, I hope it stays."

He has ventured onto the boat just once. "I didn't win," he said. But he didn't mind. "It has created an excitement and a positive attitude among the people. That's been good."