Central City’s Slinger has hopes for a prosperous 2010

Ask Central City mayor Ron Slinger to crystal-ball his city’s future for this new year, and he boils it down to one word: “Hopeful.”

Slinger, who’s been the governmental head of the historic gaming town for a year, has a vision for Central City’s growth, while still focusing on maintaining its charm and preserving its roots as a mining town that’s an important part of Colorado’s history.

On the growth side, Slinger says there are a slew of projects and maybe-projects in the 2010 master plan.

“2010 is all about economic development for us,” he said. “We sat back and thought Amendment 50 (the higher-stakes gambling initiative) would be everything. To me, Amendment 50 helped stop the bleeding, and we’re slowly coming out of it. It allows us to take a deep breath so now we can look at expanding programs.”

Expanded “programs” include a streetscape proposal for Main Street, which would include benches, statues, flowers and gathering areas for pedestrians. “It would be a nice touch and drive some attention back to Main Street,” Slinger said.

Two smaller casinos plan to open in existing empty storefronts. Papones on Main Street – an intimate setting with roughly 100 gaming devices – has secured its business and gaming licenses with the goal of opening in April.

A buyer has purchased the old Central Palace location on Main Street with the intention of installing 200 to 220 gaming devices, which would rank the casino third or fourth in terms of size after Fortune Valley and Century casinos. “Central Palace is applying for licenses and shooting for a July 1 opening,” the mayor said.

In the non-gaming arena, city officials are looking at trying to expand the usage of the Central City Opera House – which has an annual six-week season – to attract other entertainment operators.

“Just like every other nonprofit in the world, the Central City Opera is struggling financially,” Slinger said. “But they have a great venue they could rent out.”

Slinger said he’s been approached by a promoter proposing to stage a two- or three-day jazz festival in August on the weekend after the opera season closes. He’s also entertaining the notion of bringing a two- or three-day comedy festival into that building.

“I’d like to enhance the entire experience, and give people another reason to come up here,” he said.

(Next issue: Black Hawk mayor David Spellman gets the crystal ball to forecast his town’s 2010.)

Good eats. The Central City Social Club, an upscale steak house that was slated to open during Denver’s National Western Stock Show, is a much-anticipated restaurant and gaming facility owned by Tim Combs, former mayor of Lyons.

I’m told that the remodeled interior is “gorgeous,” with furnishings meant to complement the flavor of the wild-game fare on the menu.

“The board members of the Central City Opera are really excited so their patrons can just walk down the street and go to a nice upscale steak house,” Slinger said.

Chew on this. The popular chain Ruby Tuesday’s is opening soon in the Wildwood Casino in Cripple Creek, according to my spy.

~ Penny Parker is a columnist for The Denver Post. She’s always on the prowl for tidbits and tips from Colorado’s gaming communities. Call her at 303-619-5209 or e-mail
pparker@denverpost.com