Isle of Capri casino

It was the biggest story of 2012 in terms of development in Cape Girardeau. The Isle of Capri Casino opened on Halloween eve of 2012, the culmination of years and years of behind-the-scenes plans, financial risks, legislative delays, a public vote, bureaucratic scrutiny, tax revenue arrangements and building construction. Work on the Isle Casino Cape site began in April 2011. Streets were rerouted, houses purchased and demolished, and soon construction of the casino began. The project came with controversy as it was challenged in a vote, but it also comes with public benefits. Cape Girardeau city officials estimate the city's annual revenue from casino admissions will be about $3 million.

The city expects to spend 10 to 15 percent of that revenue on riverfront and regional economic development. The casino will match riverfront funding (at a maximum of 0.3 percent of gross gaming revenue), with 70 percent of that funding dedicated to capital expenses.

Officials also anticipate the casino will draw more visitors to the city, who will spend money in stores, restaurants and hotels.

Here's a look back at the milestones of the casino construction in 2012:

Fran Rediger blows on the dice before her husband, Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger, throws them at the craps table Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 on opening day of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

__April 30__ -- Work continued at the Isle of Capri's construction site. The tedious task of filling the 740,000-gallon basin that would hold the land-based casino's floating gaming floor was underway.

__June 8__ -- Officials with Isle of Capri moved up the opening date for the Cape Girardeau casino to Nov. 1, two months ahead of initial estimates.

__June 26__ -- Job seekers poured into the Show Me Center hoping to find better employment opportunities at the Isle of Capri's Cape Girardeau casino. Around 300 people attended the three job information sessions.

__July 2__ -- The City Council approved a $300,000 contract to surface Main Street, from Broadway north almost to the casino's front door.

__July 16__ -- A street at the casino site was dedicated as Paul Keller Way, honoring the late vice president and chief development officer of Isle of Capri.

__Oct. 24__ -- After touring Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, the Missouri Gaming Commission approved a resolution stating the casino was suitable to receive a gaming license.

__Oct. 30__ -- Isle Casino Cape Girardeau opened in the morning. Around 3,600 people passed through the turnstiles in the first six hours of operation.

__NUMBERS:__

$135 million -- Isle of Capri's investment in Cape Girardeau

23 acres -- size of the casino development

700-plus -- number of employees

137,000 -- square footage of the casino

1,000 -- slot machines

28 -- table games

5 -- restaurants

750 -- seats in the multipurpose events room