FeedsRomulus casinos are still a possibility
Casinos in Romulus will move back to the front burner, and what’s happening in the auto industry and in the state economy means that it’s not a moment too soon, city officials said Tuesday.
Mayor Alan Lambert and other key city employees will meet with the members of the Sioux Indians, who hoped to build a casino in the city until Congress nixed the plan. Also, a partner with the Hannahville Tribe has contacted the city to possibly move forward on a deal that would not require congressional approval.
The big question for the tribes – and the city – is “How do we proceed?”
“We’re meeting next week with the Sioux Tribe, and I received a call from a partner in the Hannahville Tribe, and we’re excited about these meetings,” Lambert said. “With everything that’s going on right now, we’re not just going to give up.”
Gaming halls were part of a plan to revitalize the city employment picture, and make Romulus an entertainment destination for western Wayne County.
However, a House bill that would have allowed the Sioux to open a casino on non-reservation land failed in Congress, mostly because of opposition from the City of Detroit and concerns about the unchecked expansion of gaming.
Detroit has three casinos within its borders, and already faces stiff competition from Casino Windsor, which is located across the Ambassador Bridge.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs”
Losses in the manufacturing sector – on which Romulus is dependent – have taken a toll on the city. Aid to the embattled automobile industry appeared unlikely on Tuesday, which makes city officials more resolute in terms of introducing gaming, Lambert said.
“If (the automobile industry) doesn’t get the help it needs, it could be catastrophic for the region and the state,” Lambert said.
“We already have hundreds of thousands of people out of work here in Michigan – we’re already hurting,” he added.
The losses mean a variety of problems for residents and the city–including more foreclosed homes, more requests for public assistance, and the potential of reduced property tax revenues.
Those revenues pay for services like police and fire, and so far, the city has been able to hold the line on laying off personnel, Lambert said.
Councilman William Wadsworth said he believes the area would be helped immensely by a casino, whether the automobile industry is bailed out or not.
“I’m behind it 100 percent, but will it happen? Only the future will tell,” he said.
“What I can say is that it should be allowed to happen no matter what the economics are,” Wadsworth added. “It would put 3,300 people back to work – and they would have insurance, and they’d be able to spend money. What we need here is jobs, jobs, jobs.”
Casinos could be one panacea for those issues, city officials said. A combined development could generate 3,000 jobs for area residents, and could spur offshoot development that would improve the city tax base and bring additional jobs.
There is the prospect that the re-introduction of a bill that would again allow for the development of a casino on non-reservation could take place once President-elect Barack Obama’s administration, and a slew of new legislators–take control in Washington.
Casino suffering
In Detroit, there is speculation that Greektown Casinos–which is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization–could run out of money to operate, or complete several construction projects.
Lambert doesn’t think adding a casino in Romulus would dilute the moneymaking prospects for Romulus or Detroit.
“There are three casinos downtown,” he said. “We are in a different area, and a casino here would draw different people.”
