The group trying to bring a casino to Lansing failed to get enough signatures to get a proposal on the ballot, so they may ask council to vote to put a measure on the ballot. If that fails they may hold another petition drive.
As before, I would still like to see a casino downtown. I see no reason why we can't get the process rolling so that we can see some serious proposals.
Reading the article, it sounds like something may be imminent. I guess I could get behind a casino attached to the convention center, though, I'd hope the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians haved learned from their mistakes with Greektown in Detroit. They run some successful casinos up north, though.
I do wonder what this means for Market Place, though, because I can't imagine the parking lots directly east and north of the Lansing Center aren't big enough to fit a full on casino (possibly convention hotel).
The State News has also chimed in on this prospect, noting that the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the City of Lansing have been talking "for the past four months."
Eric Bush, administrative manager for tribal gaming at the Michigan Gaming Control Board, believes some finality as it comes to the approval process may take awhile, stating that “it may take anywhere from a year to two years … to get approval.” The article also mentions that Mayor Virg Bernero "strongly supports the idea."
Gary Gagnon, a CMU marketing and hospitality professor, believes that Lansing/East Lansing could see the same uptick in travel traffic that Mt. Pleasant has seen as a result of hosting Soaring Eagle. However, Zachary Neal, an assistant professor in the MSU College of Social Science, feels that a downtown casino could detract from the restaurants and businesses that are already in place.
I think all the points made in the article are valid, and it'll take some cooperation between the City and those behind the potential casino to make this a win-win.
If this goes through, I'm hoping it's gaming only and no dining.
Casinos in general will suck in traffic but those people aren't spending money anywhere but inside the casino. Their restaurants, their games, their entertainment..
Comments
The group trying to bring a casino to Lansing failed to get enough signatures to get a proposal on the ballot, so they may ask council to vote to put a measure on the ballot. If that fails they may hold another petition drive.
As before, I would still like to see a casino downtown. I see no reason why we can't get the process rolling so that we can see some serious proposals.
I do wonder what this means for Market Place, though, because I can't imagine the parking lots directly east and north of the Lansing Center aren't big enough to fit a full on casino (possibly convention hotel).
Eric Bush, administrative manager for tribal gaming at the Michigan Gaming Control Board, believes some finality as it comes to the approval process may take awhile, stating that “it may take anywhere from a year to two years … to get approval.” The article also mentions that Mayor Virg Bernero "strongly supports the idea."
Gary Gagnon, a CMU marketing and hospitality professor, believes that Lansing/East Lansing could see the same uptick in travel traffic that Mt. Pleasant has seen as a result of hosting Soaring Eagle. However, Zachary Neal, an assistant professor in the MSU College of Social Science, feels that a downtown casino could detract from the restaurants and businesses that are already in place.
I think all the points made in the article are valid, and it'll take some cooperation between the City and those behind the potential casino to make this a win-win.
Casinos in general will suck in traffic but those people aren't spending money anywhere but inside the casino. Their restaurants, their games, their entertainment..