Proposed South Bend casino clears environmental hurdle

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - A tribal village and casino being proposed by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi would have no significant environmental impact outside of traffic congestion, a draft study by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs says.

The $480 million project, proposed for 166 acres in South Bend, would include 44 housing units, a multipurpose facility and health and governmental facilities, along with a casino and hotel. The study estimates the project would create 2,000 full-time jobs and says it would provide revenue to sustain the tribal village, which would serve as many as 600 Indiana band members.

Tribal Chairman John Warren told the South Bend Tribune (http://bit.ly/1Gx1PYF ) the draft study is an important step in a process that began more than two years ago. The Indian Affairs bureau next must hold a public hearing on the proposal.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg said he is "cautiously optimistic" about the proposal and the potential for sharing revenue from the casino.

"Anything that has the promise to create more jobs for the people of South Bend we have to take seriously," he said.

A local group called "Citizens for a Better Michiana" objects to the proposal, saying the casino would have a negative impact on the community's quality of life.

Jake Teshka, the group's spokesman, said the promises of jobs and economic development are hollow ones and that the casino could bring crime, addiction and poverty to the community.

"In general, a casino in Michiana would be a bad bet for our cities, towns and our region. More specifically, a casino that pays little to no city, state or federal taxes would bring all of the documented negatives of a casino without any of the benefits," Teshka said in a statement.

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Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com