Execs Optimistic About Michigan Casino Conflict Resolution

MICHIGAN – As reported by the Kalamazoo Gazette: "Although litigation has halted the progress of a $250 million casino in Wayland Township since June, the professionals hired to oversee its construction and initial management are hopeful that legal issues can be effectively resolved.

"Richard St. Jean, vice president and general manager of Station Casinos Inc. in Las Vegas, said a best-case scenario would result in a spring 2006 ground-breaking and spring 2007 opening of the gambling hall. But he acknowledged the process could take longer.

"…Station Casinos was hired by the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians, which instigated the project.

"Todd Boorsma, president of the Moline-based group called Michigan Gambling Opposition that filed the lawsuit to stop the development of the casino, said he expects the case to take several years to process. He said anti-casino litigation involving similar proposed projects in New Buffalo and near Battle Creek was filed eight years ago, with no resolution to date.

"…The Gun Lake Band moved forward with plans for the 193,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style project earlier this year after the U.S. Department of the Interior placed 147 acres of surrounding land into trust on its behalf.

"…But a June lawsuit filed in a Washington federal court by the opposition group, which is backed by Grand Rapids business interests, challenged that ruling. Among other complaints cited were the lack of a proper environmental-impact statement and the government's failure to account for community petitions and studies precluding the project…"