The state says the land was put into trust after a certain deadline and
therefore is not eligible to have a casino on it. I am under the
impression that this is something in the gaming compact between the state
and the tribes. The state currently is not pressing to close the casino
and I've heard (rumors) that they have no intentions of doing so--they
have made remarks (again rumors) that the feds may come in and close it...
but that has not happened and it is currently open.
It seems an odd requirement to have land in trust (I think as of the date
of the compact). Perhaps the state did not want the tribes to buy land in
locations near/in metro areas and put in casinos (what a cash flow--state
may be jealous)? If this is the case, then Detroit has a long road to get
the casino.
You are right about the previous attempt. I had an opportunity to talk
to Kenneth Ermatinger of Chi-Chuk Construction (Sault Ste Marie) last
year and he was going to be responsible for the construction -- he is in
charge of the Sault Ste Marie Band's tribal construction company. He was
not looking forward to leaving the rez and working down in the city...he did
acknowledge that it would be good additional income for the tribe. The
tribe currently owns a casino in Sault Ste Marie (where the average daily
traffic on the road to the casino went from 200 to 6000 vehicles per day
after the casino opened.
If I remember right Detroit City would get a nice cut and a certain amount
of jobs set aside. It would have been (maybe still will be) near the
Detroit Ren Ctr by the water which could be the Greektown location cited.
There are three 'newly' federally recognized tribes in Michigan--two in
southwest area of in northeast lower peninsula. I have heard rumors of
some being interested in gaming but nothing definite seems to have
developed yet. It may be that if the Sault Band loses interest (such a
long process) one of these may give it a go?
Helene T. Hiner
hthiner@mtu.edu