[Marram]

Here is a question that rarely gets asked, but I think is legitimate. We all know the the casino brings in visitors and pumps money into our city budget; but, in the long run, is it good for Michigan City? What's in store for the future?

[Dave]

Is the Blue Chip good for MC? I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons -- Tourist attraction, jobs, tax revenue vs. some wierdness (it seems like local folk are constantly getting busted for check fraud over there, but I have to think someone doing that would be just as likely to do the same thing in Gary or at the Four Winds).

I'm not worried about them closing due to the Four Winds, though. Their profits are down, but heck, they are still making copious amounts of money. Casinos in general provide no product or service other than possibly entertainment, and make amazing amounts of money doing so.

I went over there for the first time a week or two ago, and the place was full of folks pumping money into slot machines. Lots of people pulling suitcases around, so I presume they were staying there.

The only way I could see the casino going belly up would be if gambling in general was legalized, so every bar, restaurant, and coffee house in town starting having gaming. I don't see Indiana turning into Nevada any time soon, however.

[Marram]

Is the Blue Chip good for MC? I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons -- Tourist attraction, jobs, tax revenue vs. some wierdness (it seems like local folk are constantly getting busted for check fraud over there, but I have to think someone doing that would be just as likely to do the same thing in Gary or at the Four Winds).

I'm not worried about them closing due to the Four Winds, though. Their profits are down, but heck, they are still making copious amounts of money. Casinos in general provide no product or service other than possibly entertainment, and make amazing amounts of money doing so.

I went over there for the first time a week or two ago, and the place was full of folks pumping money into slot machines. Lots of people pulling suitcases around, so I presume they were staying there.

The only way I could see the casino going belly up would be if gambling in general was legalized, so every bar, restaurant, and coffee house in town starting having gaming. I don't see Indiana turning into Nevada any time soon, however.

Let me be the Devil's Advocate for a moment, because I have been around enough to know that what may seem like a foregone conclusion can actually be a well-disguised dilemma.

For starters, how has BC benefitted our city's budget? There have been a few infrastructure improvements that could be tied directly to the boat, but wouldn't those improvements have been made anyway? After all, Michigan City made great strides throughout its 150 year history without the Boat. Maybe its better to make a consciouse investment with tax dollars than to be in a position of thinking up ways to use an annual check. Have we done a good job investing these checks? Do we have any stocked away for a rainy day or have we developed a trust fund for scholarships or made plans for a large-scale improvement project that will inspire our citizens? Or have we instead just gotten accustomed to paying a little less in taxes and seen the money scattered throughout our budget, diverted to pork, and in the pockets of "commission" members?

Business? Where is all the trickle down business on Michigan Boulevard, Highway 12, our downtown, or at the Outlet Mall? I'm told, without having done the due diligence, that the Mall is not doing that well. Is it true, as I was told, that several stores are empty? One might expect a couple of nice restaurants to spring up within two or three blocks of the Boat, but that hasn't happened. Has our harbor expanded because of the people who want to have their boats closer to where they gamble?

Jobs. I am told the boat employs about 1500 people from the surrounding counties. Those are good paying jobs for people, many of whom do not have college degrees, who otherwise would not have them. But the fact that the jobs do not require college degrees says something about those jobs, doesn't it? Are those jobs secure, enjoyable or fulfilling? Are the employees treated well? Does Boyd Gaming care about the development of the city that surrounds it and houses many of its employees?

Finally, what about the moral, ethical, and spiritual side of the equation? What does the Casino do for the soul of our community? Surely, there is a good reason that gambling is not legal in an unregulated way. I know several individuals, couple and retirees who have lost a lot more than they could afford. I am sure people have lost their homes, their families, their ability to contribute to our city and its economy because of the convenient temptation to gamble. Does the boat make a truly sincere effort to help those people? What is produced there? Can that really be identified as entertainment? And, if so, isn't entertainment supposed to be fulfilling in some way?

To me, looking at the forrest and not distracted by the big green money trees, it is not such an open and shut case.

[lovethiscity]

A long time ago, Louisville Kentucky closed off traffic in a downtown shopping district to create a pedestrian mall. It did not work, anchor stores left. By the time they re-opened the street the smaller ones left too. It turned into a skid row of sorts with little traffic. In 2001 the city did something bold, they bought a two block stretch for 4 million and sold it to the Cordish Company for a buck. The Cordish Company invested around 90 million into the two blocks. The result brings over 12 million dollars per year in direct taxes and fees to the city budget. About the same Blue Chip brings here.

by the way it is a family atmosphere, not adult only.

http://www.4thstlive.com/sub.cfm?currmenu=...ntent&ID=22

take a look at what true leadership can bring

[Marram]

A long time ago, Louisville Kentucky closed off traffic in a downtown shopping district to create a pedestrian mall. It did not work, anchor stores left. By the time they re-opened the street the smaller ones left too. It turned into a skid row of sorts with little traffic. In 2001 the city did something bold, they bought a two block stretch for 4 million and sold it to the Cordish Company for a buck. The Cordish Company invested around 90 million into the two blocks. The result brings over 12 million dollars per year in direct taxes and fees to the city budget. About the same Blue Chip brings here.

by the way it is a family atmosphere, not adult only.

http://www.4thstlive.com/sub.cfm?currmenu=...ntent&ID=22

take a look at what true leadership can bring

Thanks for sharing. I think I stumbled upon that complex while wandering around Louisville on a Sunday a few years back. I remember thinking it was a unique and valuable addition to the downtown.

[Southsider2k12]

Let me be the Devil's Advocate for a moment, because I have been around enough to know that what may seem like a foregone conclusion can actually be a well-disguised dilemma.

For starters, how has BC benefitted our city's budget? There have been a few infrastructure improvements that could be tied directly to the boat, but wouldn't those improvements have been made anyway? After all, Michigan City made great strides throughout its 150 year history without the Boat. Maybe its better to make a consciouse investment with tax dollars than to be in a position of thinking up ways to use an annual check. Have we done a good job investing these checks? Do we have any stocked away for a rainy day or have we developed a trust fund for scholarships or made plans for a large-scale improvement project that will inspire our citizens? Or have we instead just gotten accustomed to paying a little less in taxes and seen the money scattered throughout our budget, diverted to pork, and in the pockets of "commission" members?

Business? Where is all the trickle down business on Michigan Boulevard, Highway 12, our downtown, or at the Outlet Mall? I'm told, without having done the due diligence, that the Mall is not doing that well. Is it true, as I was told, that several stores are empty? One might expect a couple of nice restaurants to spring up within two or three blocks of the Boat, but that hasn't happened. Has our harbor expanded because of the people who want to have their boats closer to where they gamble?

Jobs. I am told the boat employs about 1500 people from the surrounding counties. Those are good paying jobs for people, many of whom do not have college degrees, who otherwise would not have them. But the fact that the jobs do not require college degrees says something about those jobs, doesn't it? Are those jobs secure, enjoyable or fulfilling? Are the employees treated well? Does Boyd Gaming care about the development of the city that surrounds it and houses many of its employees?

Finally, what about the moral, ethical, and spiritual side of the equation? What does the Casino do for the soul of our community? Surely, there is a good reason that gambling is not legal in an unregulated way. I know several individuals, couple and retirees who have lost a lot more than they could afford. I am sure people have lost their homes, their families, their ability to contribute to our city and its economy because of the convenient temptation to gamble. Does the boat make a truly sincere effort to help those people? What is produced there? Can that really be identified as entertainment? And, if so, isn't entertainment supposed to be fulfilling in some way?

To me, looking at the forrest and not distracted by the big green money trees, it is not such an open and shut case.

Without going into a lot, the outlet mall that opened in Aurora Ill has taken a TON of business from LHP. It took away almost completely the southside Chicago tourist that used to come out here for a day or weekend.

[Ang]

I think things at BC will level out. I don't believe that they will return to the type of revenue they're used to, but after the newness of 4Winds wears off, things at BC will improve. But, seeing that monstrosity of a hotel going up was strange.
I wonder if they will start a trend of high-rises in that area or of that building will stand alone?

[Dave]

I wonder if they will start a trend of high-rises in that area or of that building will stand alone?

I think for the foreseeable future, that puppy is going to stand alone. Normally the only reason to build up is high property value per square foot, which currently isn't the case in MC, but the BC has another reason: making it as easy as possible to relieve guests of their cash. And that's so much easier when it's a short elevator ride to the gaming tables.

[lovethiscity]

I think for the foreseeable future, that puppy is going to stand alone. Normally the only reason to build up is high property value per square foot, which currently isn't the case in MC, but the BC has another reason: making it as easy as possible to relieve guests of their cash. And that's so much easier when it's a short elevator ride to the gaming tables.

And if the boat closes due to Indian competition we can call it "The Warren II"

[Dave]

And if the boat closes due to Indian competition we can call it "The Warren II"

Circle the wagons!!!