The Minnesota town of West Lakeland Township is worried that the Prairie Island Indian Community is planning on building a casino on 112 acres it purchased near the township and has asked the federal government to put into trust.
The tribe denies this, at least for now, saying it’s going to use the land for residences. It bought the land for $4.4 million two years ago. The tribe released an environmental impact statement on its proposed fee into trust application and the public comment on it is due November 1.
The tribe already owns and operates the Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Red Wing. Its top priority right now, says spokesman Eric Pehle, is homes for its members.
A former township supervisor told the Pioneer Press, “I have talked with a lot of people, and not one of them said they want a casino to go in there. The neighbors are upset about it — very much so.”
They are skeptical about the tribe’s statements because, they say, cheaper land that could be used for residential housing is readily available. The 112 acres seems more suited to commercial use, they say.
It is located near Interstate 94 and is surrounded by freeway interchanges, malls, dining and stores.
