BATON ROUGE, LA-Pushing its plan for the Riviere entertainmentresort another step closer to reality, PinnacleEntertainment Inc. has acquired 508 acres for $20.9 million.According to documents filed with the Baton Rouge clerk of courts,Pinnacle has bought the land from SRA Associates, which had beenassembling the acreage for the entertainment company.

As previously reported in GlobeSt.com, the Las Vegas-basedPinnacle plans to build a multi-use complex Riviere along RiverRoad. There still remain questions about a portion of the battureland, which is the stretch between the river at low-water stage anda levee. Pinnacle owns approximately five-sixths interest in the66-acre stretch, but it reportedly is balking at the $3-millionasking price for the other one-sixth interest. SRA Properties filedcourt papers two weeks ago seeking to subdivide the land. Aspokeswoman with Pinnacle says the case is still pending.

A voter referendum is scheduled for Feb. 9. Assuming votersapprove Riviere, timelines and project phases will then bereleased. “The only thing we know right now is that this will beopen by 2010, but nothing more specific,” the spokeswoman tellsGlobeSt.com.