Potential casino coming to South Bend

Potential casino coming to South Bend

Posted: Mar 13, 2015

More slot machines and table games could be coming to Michiana if plans are approved to build a casino in South Bend.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians got a response from the Federal Government on Thursday after a proposal they submitted two years ago.
They are seeking Trust Land to create a Tribal Village but now that they have a response, they are in the first step of a very lengthy process.

If they are able to get that Trust Land approved, it will be their decision in how they want to use it.

The Pokagon Band released a statement that said in part: "The Pokagon Band is seeking Trust Land to create a Tribal Village with the necessary infrastructure and services to support its citizens, including affordable housing, government and administrative offices, a community center, and health services. To fund this infrastructure and services, the Pokagon Band will also build a Four Winds Casino on the South Bend site, which will create jobs and provide continued economic support to the Pokagon Band and surrounding communities."

The Pokagon Band will use the Four Winds Casino to help sustain its community but some people are opposed to building a casino in South Bend.

According to Jake Teshka who is involved with the grassroots organization Citizens for a Better Michiana, he has seen studies based in cities where casinos are built.

“In areas where casinos are, crime can spike, violent crimes can spike as much as ten percent,” said Teshka.

He also thinks that small businesses could suffer as a result of the casino.

“By building a casino what we're doing is cutting off any future possibility of having major consumers in small business," Teshka added.

However, the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo was built in 2007 and according to New Buffalo Township Supervisor Rose Dudiak it has been a success.

“This casino has been a win-win situation for us. The things we've been able to do in the township have been incredible. We would not be able to do them without the casino,” Dudiak said.

She also said the casino has brought in enough money that the New Buffalo Township Hall will soon go through a two million dollar renovation.

If the casino is built, it has the potential of bringing in about 2,000 permanent jobs and about 1,500 temporary construction jobs.

That is something South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg thinks will be good for the city.

“We got to work with them, figure out exactly what the plans are and how the city fits in but as long as this happens in the context of an overall agreement that benefits the city, benefits the community, then I think it could be a very positive thing for South Bend,” said Mayor Buttigieg.

The location of this land is near the U.S. 20 Bypass and covers 166 acres.


http://www.abc57.com/story/28491607/potential-casino-coming-to-south-bend