Riverside City History
Argosy Casino

Arguably the biggest news in Riverside's history was the 1994 opening of the Argosy Casino gaming riverboat. From the first announcement of its construction, the Argosy drew controversy. Much of the question comes down to whether the observer believes that adults should have a choice about gambling as entertainment or whether they see unavoidable problems with an industry based on gambling.

Riverside recognized the issue and early in the area's debate selected one of the most credible firms to operate a local casino, The Argosy Company. "Betty (Burch) was mayor at the time," Judge Dan Czamanske said. "She did a great job bringing in that casino. Several casinos wanted the rights to come here so Betty studied what they were offering and found the best deal for Riverside."

The first casino to open in the metropolitan area, the Argosy began business with the only working riverboat in metropolitan Kansas City, complete with a captain and sailing schedule. The community impact of the Argosy for Riverside has been significant. Within a year of its opening, Argosy paid millions of dollars to Riverside's once-weak budget. In 2005, funding from the Argosy added to $11.7 million. Where city officials formerly worried about even minor expenses, they now had enough funding to examine city improvements on a comprehensive scale.

Their choices for improvement are equally important. From the beginning, the Riverside Board of Aldermen recognized that it would be a mistake to budget ongoing expenses such as salaries from the gaming monies which could be eliminated by outside forces. Instead, they targeted one-time expenses such as street improvements and other capital expenditures.

These improvements continue to impact people's lives in Riverside. In dozens of neighborhoods, streets, for the first time have curbs, gutters and sidewalks. In 1996, a beautiful new community center with a pool, meeting room and gymnasium offered citizens their first-ever such facility. A new city hall not only adds to the city's architectural beauty but provides much needed space and modernization.

Perhaps most dramatic of all, a total reconstruction of the city's main thoroughfare, Gateway Drive, is expected to be a major catalyst for commercial development in the city's core.

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