Proposed Casino in Muskegon

• The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewas are proposing to open a new casino in the former SPX Corp headquarters on the waterfront of Muskegon Lake. The SPX building has been available for lease or sale since mid-2005. It is four stories tall with 70,700 square feet.
  
  The Lac Vieux Desert Indians (pronounced “lock vee-da-sair”) would spend $10 million to renovate the property and install 1,500 slot machines and 8 blackjack tables. There would be limited food service but no other amenities.
  
  The Lac Vieux Desert Indians are based in the western Upper Peninsula town of Watersmeet, MI. They have not yet submitted an application with the federal government to show they owned land in the Muskegon area prior to the signing of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Control Act in Oct. 17, 1988. Federal approval is essential and the review and approval process takes 2-3 years.
   
• The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians based in Manistee is interested in expanding its gaming operation to Muskegon. They currently operate a casino in Manistee.
  
  Ogema Larry Romanelli, the recently elected chief of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, said they are in a much better position to open a Muskegon casino than the Lac Vieux Desert Band.
  
  "We as a tribe have talked to the locals in Muskegon," said Romanelli, a building contractor who has residences in both Manistee and Fruitport.
  
  "We look for other economic developments and work with local communities," Romanelli said. "We want to move Muskegon forward and be a part of what is happening down there."
   
• The Archimedes Group LLC in Muskegon has previously announced its interest in a downtown casino through a development agreement with the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians based in Grand Rapids. The Grand River Band is not recognized by the federal government and must gain formal recognition before beginning the casino approval process.
  

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