At the same time, a local group has formed to oppose the casino on the grounds it would have a negative impact on quality of life in the community.
The study shows the proposed development would have no significant impact on the environment outside of traffic congestion but would, in many ways, benefit the tribe from a socioeconomic standpoint.
The casino would provide necessary revenue to sustain the tribal village, which would provide housing and services to as many as 600 Indiana band members.
The study also considers two alternative development proposals — for a tribal village and casino at Indiana 19 and County Road 26 in Elkhart County and for a tribal village and commercial development on the South Bend property.
The commercial development would include a travel plaza and shopping plaza.
The two alternative proposals would have about the same impact as the preferred alternative, the study finds.
The Pokagon Band petitioned to have the South Bend land, at the northeast corner of Prairie Avenue and the U.S. 20 bypass, taken into trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the benefit of the tribe in 2012.
A similar petition for the Elkhart land has not been submitted.
The next step in the process is for the BIA to hold a public hearing on the draft proposal.
The hearing will take place at Century Center at a yet-to-be-determined time and date.
“The Pokagon Band is seeking trust land to create a tribal village with the necessary infrastructure and services to support its citizens, including affordable housing, government and administrative offices, a community center, and health services,” the tribe said in a news release Thursday.
“To fund this infrastructure and services, the Pokagon Band will also build a Four Winds Casino on the South Bend site, which will create jobs and provide continued economic support to the Pokagon Band and surrounding communities.”
In a statement, tribal Chairman John P. Warren said the draft study is “an important first step in a lengthy process that began over two years ago and we are very pleased to have reached this significant milestone.
“Although we were required to state all foreseeable development for the proposed trust land, the Pokagon Band will pursue development that will best serve our citizens and the larger community,” Warren said, adding, "We appreciate the continued support from the Michiana community as we continue this process.”
As proposed, the development would include a tribal village with 44 housing units, a multipurpose facility, health services and other governmental facilities, plus a full-service gaming facility with hotel and parking garage.
The $480 million project would create 2,000 permanent, full-time jobs and more than 1,400 construction jobs. And it would generate an estimated $620.4 million in annual revenue, the study finds.
Presumably, some of that revenue would be shared with the community.
Reaction
“I’m cautiously optimistic this could lead to good things in our city,” South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said Thursday. “Anything that has the promise to create more jobs for the people of South Bend we have to take seriously.”
Asked about a possible revenue sharing agreement with the tribe related to the casino, Buttigieg said, “Nothing specific has been negotiated, but we have a very good relationship with the tribe … and we expect further dialogue in the future.”
“We are glad to see this development coming together for the Pokagons,” said Common Council member Oliver Davis, whose district currently encompasses the land on which the village and casino would be built. “It means growth is coming to the south side.”
Davis said most of his constituents feel the same way.
“There was some concern with some people who had issues with gambling, but at the same time, I heard more positives,” he said.
News of the draft study was quickly followed Thursday by a release from “Citizens for a Better Michiana,” a coalition of citizens opposed to the casino plans.
“In general, a casino in Michiana would be a bad bet for our cities, towns and our region. More specifically, a casino that pays little-to-no city, state or federal taxes would bring all of the documented negatives of a casino without any of the benefits,” Jake Teshka, the group’s spokesman, said.
“It will push local businesses to close their doors while only rewarding residents with crime, addiction and poverty in our community,” he added.
Teshka, who formerly served as executive director of the county Republican Party, described as hollow promises of jobs, economic development and revenue associated with the proposed gaming facility.
“The facts are clear: by inviting a casino into our backyard, we invite an endless list of long-term problems, as well," he said.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
574-235-6187
@ErinBlasko
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Copyright © 2024 ToCasino.net Online Casino. All Rights Reserved. Designed by