It’s critical that we think carefully about the location of a casino and the message it sends to future families and business developers considering Cedar Rapids.

My parents moved here from California in the 1960s to raise their family — they found good schools, solid values and an appreciation for culture. We have made great strides in rejuvenating our downtown since the flood.

I want to encourage citizens and City Council members who care about the continued progress of our city to send a message of positive growth to those who pass through our downtown on I-380.

Keep the downtown for family friendly venues — a river walk, amphitheater, restaurants, fine arts and healthy living. If you desire something large, try something new and healthy, maybe an indoor pleasure-sport complex.

I have friends who would love a casino nearby, so place it by Hawkeye Downs or close to highway and hotels, but with space for bus traffic and parking. Cedar Rapids can have the best of both — revenue from the casino and minimum negative impact on downtown. If you look at the list of towns voted nationally as the best places to live and raise a family, they don’t list a casino as the focal point of their city.

Keep the casino on the outskirts of town.

Karen Torno Fashimpaur

Cedar Rapids