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http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20.../news/news2.txt

Boyd Gaming CEO says location is what makes Blue Chip successful

Boyd Gaming CEO William S. Boyd says the company enjoys being in Michigan City. Elizabeth Hogge/ The News-Dispatch
By Amanda Haverstick, The News-Dispatch

The head of Blue Chip's parent company paid a visit to Michigan City for the company's annual meeting and described the casino as one of the premiere properties in the region.

Boyd Gaming Chief Executive Officer William S. Boyd said the company has enjoyed its association with Blue Chip, Michigan City and its customers.

“It's been terrific. The reason we expanded and spent that $170 million on our Phase One expansion was because we had such a great reception from our customers and the city,” Boyd said. “We wanted to reinvest in the city and stay part of it on an ongoing basis. It's all going to be something that I think the community can be very, very proud of. When we're investing that amount of money, you know we have a lot of faith and confidence in Michigan City.”

Boyd described Blue Chip as a stable investment.

“I think it's one of our premiere properties that we have in this part of the country. That's why we've invested the amount of money we have,” Boyd said. “I think we operate it like we operate the rest of our properties.”

One of Blue Chip's strengths, said Boyd, is its proximity to South Bend, southern Michigan and the surrounding towns.

“I think its location has been very good. It was the last site to be picked up and it wasn't vied for like the other (Indiana) sites were,” Boyd said. “We saw, if we had the right product here, why would someone drive past us further into Chicago?”

Blue Chip's 22-story hotel project is currently under construction. It will have 300 guest rooms, a spa and fitness center, additional meeting and event space, new dining and nightlife experiences, and a new entrance.

Boyd Gaming President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Smith said the hotel scheduled to open in late 2008, is likely to be the tallest hotel in the state and the second-tallest building in this part of the state.

“We're working our way through the design and development process now,” Smith said. “What we're really working on are the interior fit outs. It's a pretty fully developed building.”

Both Boyd and Smith said they hope the casino's expansion will add to the redevelopment the city is looking at for the Trail Creek Corridor.

“We know they want to redevelop this area of town and we certainly would like to see it redeveloped,” Smith said. “We hope the new hotel here we're building is an impetus for more redevelopment. It's certainly a great anchor to have for this property with all the amenities we'll have as part of that.”

“We have history in the past of doing things with the city,” Boyd added.

Blue Chip's expansion comes at the same time as a new casino is slated to open 12 miles away. The Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indian Tribe is building the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Mich. The 225,000-square-foot land-based casino, scheduled to open Aug. 2, will provide competition for Blue Chip.

Smith said the Blue Chip complex can compete with its new neighbor. “We certainly like what we've built here. We think we've got a great complex. Our business is built on both product and service and we think the product we've developed over the last couple of years ... will be able compete effectively.”

Smith said the company also thinks that good competition helps. “The fact that their operation is only 15 minutes away is good, not bad. If you bring good quality competition and a good quality project, then everyone will benefit,” Smith said. “It will increase the market and more people will come. We'll get a shot at those people as they drive by.”
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BOYD PROPERTIES

€Peoria, Ill. - Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino
€Michigan City - Blue Chip Casino Hotel
€Vinton, La. - Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel
€Shreveport, La. - Sam's Town Hotel and Casino
€Kenner, La. - Treasure Chest Casino
€Tunica, Miss. - Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall
€Atlantic City, N.J. - Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa
€Henderson, Nev. - Eldorado Casino
€Henderson, Nev. - Jokers Wild Casino
€Las Vegas, Nev. - California Hotel and Casino
€Las Vegas, Nev. - Fremont Hotel and Casino
€Las Vegas, Nev. - Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
€Las Vegas, Nev. - Main Street Station Hotel, Casino and Brewery
€Las Vegas, Nev. - The Orleans Hotel and Casino
€Las Vegas, Nev. - Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
€Las Vegas, Nev. - Suncoast Hotel and Casino

[Max Main]

North End developement plans and planners seems to ignore the East-West axis from Lighthouse Place to Blu Chip. This could begin along 6th and 7th Streets. The Mem Hosp site could be one anchor, unless it is devalued by being given away to condos.