The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is considering building a new casino complex at the current site of its Ojibwa Casino and Hotel in on M-38 in Baraga, Michigan, and extensively renovating its Ojibwa Casino Marquette in Chocolay Township. The plans are based on a report by Global Market Advisors, which was commissioned by the tribe in January to study options.
After a year of dealing with legalities, last December the tribe voted against buying and renovating the Baraga Lakeside Inn for $31 million for a new casino. Vice President Jennifer Misegan said, “I’m in favor of rebuilding on the current site. People know that’s where the casino is. The infrastructure is there, the land is available and that’s what GMA recommended.”
Council member Eddy Edwards said he still preferred moving the casino to the Lakeside, which he supported under the 2014 administration. But he noted most of the current council members like GMA’s report. “GMA basically said that leadership has to understand that offering smoky old facilities as recreational facilities doesn’t work anymore. They have to realize they have to invest in properties to compete against Lac View desert, Hannahville and other casinos. They also said to start fresh, don’t use anything we’ve got and do a master plan. They gave some appropriate sizing, said don’t go much bigger than 10, 20 percent expansion,” Edwards said.
The council asked architect Sam Olbekson of the Cuningham Group to develop a master plan for the new Baraga casino.
