It's back to the drawing board for the city of Rock Island after a judge dealt their Jumer's Crossing development plans a blow Monday, August 11, 2014.
Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley says the fight is far from over.
Development plans on 92 acres near Jumer's Casino have been stalled for more than a year as Milan and Big Island fought the city of Rock Island's plan to build a road through a levee. On Monday there was a set-back for the city.
"We're very disappointed. I mean, we expected a different ruling than what we got," said Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley.
On August 11, 2014, a judge ruled that Big Island and Milan control, maintain, operate and have access to the levee and Rock Island can't alter it without everyone being on board.
"We own the levee and anything that happens to that levee has to go through us first," said Milan Mayor, Duane Dawson.
However, Mayor Pauley says the court ruling is not the end for the Jumer's Crossing project.
"What we do know is we're going to appeal. We'll go to the third circuit court in Ottawa," said Mayor Pauley.
That will mean more money for Rock Island and Milan in court. Dawson says legal battles so far have cost taxpayers more than $100,000.
"Let's stop wasting taxpayer's money," said Mayor Dawson.
Pauley wasn't sure how much Rock Island has spent, but he says the decision to fight it is worth it. The project could bring $2.4 million dollars in sales tax.
"All the major expenses are already done with," said Mayor Pauley.
Milan now has 30 days to file a request with Rock Island to get its legal fees paid back, that then would also be handled in court.