COLUMBUS ? A proposed $250 million state-owned casino and hotel in Cherokee County could open as soon as summer 2009, developers said this week.

With Route 66 and James Dean themes, the 11-story, 250-room hotel would include 29 luxury suites, a fountain near the entrance and a spa and fitness center. The casino would feature 1,200 electronic games and up to 40 table games, as well as entertainment and convention space.

Penn National Gaming Inc. has proposed the Hollywood Casino-Cherokee County to be built off Interstate 44 near Baxter Springs and Galena, in southeast Kansas.

Under a law passed during the 2007 session, the state must approve the deal, and the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma also has shown interest in pursuing a casino in Cherokee County. The winning bidder would handle the day-to-day operations of the casinos.

Steve Snyder, Penn National’s senior vice president of corporate development, said he expects 510 new full-time jobs in the first year and a total of 680 full-time equivalent jobs once the complex is established.