Lansing residents will have a chance to weigh in on the possibility of a casino coming to the capital city.
The city attorney Brig Smith admits at the start of the Kewadin casino process, he was not on board with the $245 million project coming to Lansing.
Smith however says the benefits of revenue sharing and public safety convinced him to change his mind and he hopes three upcoming meetings will change other doubters into believers.
City council approved a resolution to add three community hearings over the next few weeks.
At Mondays committee of a whole meeting council members voiced their concerns to Smith and Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa spokesman John Wernet.
Wernet says five of the casino's operated in the Upper Peninsula all have positive relationships with the local communities in terms of shared revenue.
Council also said public safety is a big concern and fear a casino could increase crime in our area.
But Wernet says of the five Chippewa tribes in the Upper Peninsula, crime rates haven't really changed, in fact he said they have noticed a decrease in crime in some cases once the casino was built.
Meanwhile, the city attorney says the casino is not only a win for the city, but a win for education as well.
"There is a heck of a lot of reward, when you think about the Lansing Promise, when you think about full funding, public universities, for every graduate throughout the state, that's one heck of a reward, with very little risk I think," Smith said.
The community hearings are scheduled for Wednesday February 29th at Southside Community center and March 7th at Foster Community Center, both start at 6pm.
A public hearing has also been set for March 12th.
