Casinos aren't approved, but cities proceed with land deals around state

By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer


LORAIN – The uncertainty about whether American Indians will be able to open casinos in Ohio is not stopping cities from negotiating multimillion-dollar land deals with one tribe.



The Oklahoma-based Eastern Shawnee tribe, which has roots in Ohio, is entering agreements to buy property around the state, positioning itself to build casinos if it can persuade the General Assembly and Gov. Bob Taft to amend state law.



The tribe already has agreements to buy land on the Lake Erie shore in Lorain, along the Ohio Turnpike in Lordstown and off I-75 in Monroe and Botkins.



All the deals are contingent on the state legalizing casino gambling.



Taft spokesman Mark Rickel reiterated Tuesday that the governor “remains opposed to expanding casino-style gambling into Ohio.”



Eastern Shawnee Chief Charles Enyart is promising the state plenty of jobs and tax revenue. With Ohio facing a budget deficit estimated as high as $5 billion, he thinks he can change Taft’s mind.



“I feel like the governor is a very smart man. He’s going to look at his all options,” Enyart said. “His state is needing some money. I feel like he’ll take a look at it.”



The tribe this week agreed to a two-year option for the $6 million purchase of six acres of lakefront property in Lorain, west of Cleveland. The tribe will pay $285,000 in options over two years.



Enyart announced the deal Tuesday along with Lorain Mayor Craig Foltin. They stood next to colorful site plans and artist’s renderings of a proposed $100 million casino resort – a stark contrast to the drab city that has seen steel, shipping and auto factory jobs leave town over the last several decades.



“This gives us an opportunity to redefine ourselves,” Foltin said.



Earlier this month, the tribe purchased an option on 137 acres of privately owned land in Lordstown, said Ron Barnhart, the village’s planning and zoning administrator. The purchase price would be about $2 million.



“They came to us. We didn’t go to them,” Barnhart said.



The northeast Ohio village is home to the General Motors assembly plant, which employs more than 3,000. Still, Barnhart said, casino gambling would be welcomed.



“Hopefully, this will keep people from going to Pennsylvania and West Virginia (to gamble),” Barnhart said. “It’s definitely an economic boon for the area.”



The tribe also has option on 150 acres in Monroe for a proposed casino-and-retail complex along I-75 between Cincinnati and Dayton.



It has until 2009 to complete a deal in Botkins, located between Dayton and Toledo, in which it would pay $600,000 for land once set aside for an industrial park, and another $663,000 for an additional 83 acres that are privately owned.



Taft opposes casino gambling for the same reason as the Ohio Council of Churches: concern about social ills such as problem gambling.



“We believe the Native American tribes that are beginning to survey the state to find good locations basically are funded by Las Vegas money groups and all they are doing is setting up shop waiting on the state to change to Class 3 (casino-style) gambling,” said Tom Smith, director of public policy for the council, which represents 18 Christian denominations with 6,000 congregations.



The Eastern Shawnee tribe has up to nine casino sites under consideration in Ohio, but Enyart wouldn’t identify them all.



The tribe could face competition from the Wyandot tribe, which wants to build at least four casinos in northern Ohio, and the Ottawa tribe.

last year they got a license to build one about 15 minutes from where i live! i was so excited! but now they are investigating it and its held up in court..so i have to wait a while longer i love casinos!

I have never been to a casino! not sure if its a good or bad idea, I mean with the steel industry in Ohio in the non existant shape its in it may help, but damn...