Casino plan includes cabaret, dance club

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 | 10:48 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW ORLEANS -- Harrah's New Orleans Casino has an initial plan to use the vacant second story of the French Quarter-area building, but officials say it is contingent on finding investors.

The casino's ownership company, JCC Holding Co., foresees a bar, disco, nighclub and gift shop above the gambling floor. The company, which has a lease with the city for the casino site, was required to present a plan for using the second floor within 120 days of the casino's opening on Oct. 28.

The plan calls for a 16,000-square-foot cabaret featuring a nightly show, a 12,000-square foot dance club; a 6,500-square-foot music club and a 14,000-square-foot hall for corporate meetings concerts and boxing matches.

"This is not a final master plan," said Tom Morgan, JCC Holding's vice president for development. "These are subject to change."

But Morgan said JCC Holding needs to find investors for the projects willing to spend enough money to make the second floor as glitzy as the gambling floor.

"We believe our product wowed the community," Morgan said Tuesday. "Almost without exception, we exceeded expectations. What we want to do is create an entertainment venue on the second floor that has the same impact."