Bernero Talks To Sault Tribe About Casino
The city of Lansing and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians are in negotiations for a potential downtown casino, two sources with knowledge of the talks told MIRS today.
Lansing Mayor Virg BERNERO had hoped to make an official announcement of a deal sometime this week, but that has been pushed forward two to four weeks. If one were built, organized labor would push to be involved in the construction or renovation of a facility.
“There’s been a lot of discussion,” said UAW Local 602 President Art LUNA, who has been party to some of the discussions. “It’s an opportunity to bring jobs to Lansing.”
Attorney Richard McLELLAN, who consulted with the Bernero administration on the feasibility of a casino in Lansing, said his conclusion is that no more casinos can be built in Michigan, which is not an uncommon opinion, he said. However, Bernero is working with other legal counsel to find another legal avenue.
“If someone can figure out how to do it, more power to them,” McLellan said. “Maybe somebody has a way to do it. If they do, it will be a new theory. It will have to be.”
Sault Tribe Chairman Joe Eitrem would neither confirm nor deny its interest in “any project that may or may not be under consideration at this time.
“The Sault Tribe is regularly presented with economic development and business opportunities that we evaluate relative to our long-term tribal goals and objectives,” Eitrem said. “We will explore any and all business and development opportunities that offer the potential to help us achieve our goals of economic self-sufficiency and improving programs and services for our members.
“If and when we are prepared to announce our firm interest in any such a project, we will inform our members, the news media, and other audiences.”
A phone call to a Bernero spokesman was not returned by MIRS‘ deadline.
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