Miracle Mile casino planned
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WEST LEBANON — A developer is looking to convert a former auto dealership on the Miracle Mile into a charitable gaming casino and restaurant.
Jonathan Gengras, a Connecticut-based auto dealer, and Stefan Huba, a casino gaming developer, are seeking approval from the Lebanon Planning Board to build a 41-seat restaurant and bar and gaming center at 369 Miracle Mile, which sits between an auto parts store and a motorcycle dealership.
Under New Hampshire law, “charitable gaming” means a state-regulated category of gambling whereby 35% of the proceeds must be donated to charitable nonprofits. Charitable gaming can include poker, bingo, lottery, keno, raffles and casino games such as roulette, blackjack and electronic slot machines.
The recipients of charitable gaming revenue are selected by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission, which approves funding requests submitted by charitable groups registered with the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office and the N.H. Charitable Trust Division of the Attorney General’s office for at least two years. A list of registered charitable organizations can be found on the Lottery Commission website. As of Dec. 27, the list included over 12,000 organizations.
Lebanon Poker Room & Casino, Lebanon’s first charitable gaming casino, , opened four years ago at 45 Hanover Street. In addition to poker, the casino provides blackjack and roulette tables and 34 slot machines.
According to the Miracle Mile project application, the plan would reconfigure the existing building to create a first-floor space totaling 17,335 square feet and a 1,360 square foot mezzanine.
The casino floor would contain “approximately 111 electronic gaming devices and 90 gaming tables,” according to a description submitted to the city.
Lebanon-based Engineering Ventures estimated the casino who mean an increase between 65 to 140 vehicles on Miracle Mile during peak evening hours, according to the project description.
The vacant car dealership was previously occupied by Gerrish Honda and owned by longtime Upper Valley auto dealer Kurt Gerrish. Gerrish sold the Honda dealership in 2016 to Gengras Motors, an ownership headed by Gengras and his brother, E. Clayton “Chip” Gengras.
Gengras Motors renamed the dealership Upper Valley Honda and relocated it to White River Junction in July 2020.
According to the project application, Gengras will retain ownership of 369 Miracle Mile and lease it to Huba.
Neither Huba nor Gengras responded to requests of comment on Thursday.
The Lebanon Planning Board is scheduled to review the application at its next meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. The board is expected at that meeting to schedule a site visit of the property and determine a date to hold a public hearing on the project.
Patrick Adrian may be reached at (603)727-3216 or at padrian@vnews.com.
