Area outlined in red shows approximate outline of proposed Sault Tribe casino site in Huron Township, Michigan. Image from Google Maps
The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians wants to build an off-reservation casino in partnership with a developer of a failed racetrack. Jerry Campbell was the founder of a corporation that operated the Pinnacle Race Course near Detroit. Wayne County spent $50 million on infrastructure and other improvements at the site only to see it shutter while owing $2.5 billion in taxes. The tribe, however, has confidence in Campbell. “I’m not aware of anything that was done in connection with (Pinnacle Race Course) that would cause us to back away and say, ‘He’s not been a good partner,’” attorney John Wernet told The Detroit Free Press.
The Pinnacle Race Course closed in 2010, the same year the tribe acquired land near the site for a potential off-reservation casino. Photo from 9th Course
The tribe at one point considered opening an off-reservation casino near the Pinnacle site and spent $179,000 on seven acres there, the Press reported. The land is part a 320-acre property that Campbell's corporation purchased for just $1, the paper said. But now the tribe is focusing on 71-acre site in Huron Township. The property is only a mile from the defunct track, the Press reported. Get the Story:
Developer of failed horse track wants to open casino near Metro Airport (The Detroit Free Press 7/27) Related Stories:
Sault Tribe faces opposition to off-reservation gaming projects (06/23)
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