Additional details shared on Casino Queen Marquette project

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

The Marquette Council, at its Feb. 14 meeting, learned more details about Casino Queen Marquette’s plans to become completely land-based.

General Manager Sean Bateman said the project, which will include a 12,000-square-foot addition to Casino Queen Marquette’s current building along Anti Monopoly Street, will start in July, at the earliest.

“The goal is to get it done in 12 to 15 months and be open by late summer or early fall 2024,” he stated. “But nothing has been put in stone yet on the timeline.”

Through this project, the casino “will come out of the water and be completely land based,” according to Bateman. “The goal is to eliminate the sky walk as well.”

The expansion will build out through the parking lot, taking up what is now the first four rows.

“We won’t lose a lot of parking,” Bateman said, “and there will be some parking underneath that second floor. It will allow 17 to 25 parking spots underneath.”

The building will only be two stories high, as opposed to the three stories now. “So no views will be obstructed,” Bateman stressed.

Gaming will be located on the second floor, accessible by staircase, escalator and elevator. It will have roughly the same footprint as the current casino space, with around 400 machines and some table games as well.

A sports area in the back of the second level will go well with the casino sports book, and will also have a bar and big screen TVs, said Bateman.

“I think it will be fantastic for any sports fans who want to come in there. We’ll serve food up there as well from downstairs,” he explained. Downstairs, what is now the buffet area will include a coffee area and baked goods, while the other side will offer pizza, burgers, fried chicken and other popular foods. At this point, the project does not include a buffet.

“That doesn’t mean it won’t change,” Bateman said, “but there will still be a food and beverage outlet for people to eat and drink.”

Another casualty of the expansion will be the Sevens show room. According to Bateman, there are currently no plans to create an indoor event area due to space constraints.

“I think, if we do any events, it will be in the summertime and it might be something where we figure out space in the front or back of [the building],” he said.

Other notes from Bateman: it’s still being determined if children will be allowed in the food and drink area, smoking will continued to be allowed in the casino and Pinky the elephant will remain in the casino vicinity.

Bateman hopes going land based will provide a good experience for visitors.

“I’m glad to come off the water. It will make it look much better, and it’s very easy to get into this thing,” he said. “We’re pretty excited about it.”

The goal is to compete with other land-based casinos and pull in visitors who would normally go to Dubuque or some of the Wisconsin casinos. Bateman projects it will have a positive impact on revenue.

“I think first year 20 to 25 percent, then a steady 10 percent after that. That’s going off other casinos I've worked at," he said.