The Baton Rouge Metro Council will now set a date for thereferendum balloting. In a press release, Pinnacle chairman and CEODaniel R. Lee says the company is hoping the issue will be placedon the February 2008 ballot. If voters approve, Pinnacle executivessay the resort, which will be located at River Road and GardereLane, could open as early as 2010.

Pinnacle has other hurdles to clear before dirt can be turned.The Las Vegas-based casino operator and developer is still innegotiations with a landowner, who owns one-sixth interest of a58-acre levee batture along the river where the casino would beconstructed. If negotiations break down, both parties may have togo to court to resolve the issue. Additionally, Metro Council votedseveral days ago to file suit against Pinnacle to obtain aneconomic impact study that was submitted to the Louisiana GamingBoard.

Pinnacle's plans for the project include a 140,000-sf riverboatcasino, 100-room hotel and mixed-use recreational and residentialdevelopments. Based on Pinnacle's calculations, the project willcreate 1,100 direct jobs and a $33-million payroll.