SOUTH BEND — In exchange for financial support in the form of revenue sharing and community investment, the city of South Bend has agreed to actively support the development of a tribal village and casino on land near Prairie Avenue and the U.S. 20 bypass.
The city also has agreed not to encourage or support future casino gambling in the city, and to oppose the expansion of gaming activities here beyond those already allowed under state law.
The provisions are part of an agreement between the city and Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians for the proposed development of a $400 million tribal village, casino and hotel on 166 acres of land southwest of downtown, near Rum Village.
The city and band announced the agreement last month at an event that focused on the benefits to the city. A copy of the document was not available at the time.
The Common Council will consider a resolution approving the agreement, which has already been approved by the Pokagon Band Tribal Council and Gaming Authority Board, on Monday.
The council previously passed a resolution recognizing the “significant potential benefits” of the project, without actually endorsing it, by a vote of 7-0.
The project is contingent upon approval of a “fee-to-trust” application submitted by the band to the Department of the Interior in 2012, which asks that the federal government take the land into trust for the benefit of the tribe.
As part of the agreement, the city has agreed to submit a letter “and other pertinent documents” to the Secretary of the Interior “expressing support for” the application, which currently is under review by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.