A controversial plan to build a casino in downtown Lansing goes before the public tonight. A large turnout is expected at the first of two community meetings on the casino project.
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians wants to build a $245 million casino next to Lansing’s convention center. The tribe will ask the federal government to approve the project this summer.
But first, the Lansing city council must vote on the development deal by the end of next month.
“There are some substantive issues that are out there that we need to deal with," says Brian Jeffries, the Lansing city council president, "If we can’t obtain those changes in the agreement there are other ways to do it.”
Jeffries says the council may tie future approval of tax credits and zoning changes to addressing the city council’s concerns about the project.
The proposal is drawing opposition from the governor…state attorney general and other Native American tribes that operate casinos in Michigan.
Tonight, the public gets its chance to weigh in.
Here is the meeting time and location:
February 29, 2012, Wednesday — 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Southside Community Center Auditorium
5815 Wise Road, Lansing, MI
