Backers of a proposed casino in Downtown Lansing have jumped yet another hurdle.
In a two-hour meeting Wednesday morning, The Lansing Economic Development Corporation voted to move forward with a comprehensive agreement.
Some are calling today's vote a huge step forward.
Wednesday morning, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation unanimously approved, 6 to 0, plans to continue moving forward with the casino.
Their approval will now allow LEDC to sell a piece of property it owns downtown to the Sault Saint Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
"That's a key portion to move forward... this is what will give the tribe that critical piece that allows them to really develop in tandem with the Lansing Center," says Mayor Virg Bernero.
The property is on the corner of Cedar Street and Michigan Avenue, and right next door to the Lansing Center.
The plan would be to house a temporary casino in this location until a permanent one can be built nearby.
"That will help fund the rest of the development down the road, the permanent, much larger showcase... a casino behind and along side the Lansing Center. This is the piece that gets the whole thing started," Bernero continued.
All that's left on the local level is approval from Lansing City Council, which Mayor Bernero is hoping will happen by March 19th.
If the council approves the plans, the future of the Lansing Casino will be in the hands of the federal government.
There are three community hearings coming up for those looking to voice their opinions.
The first one is Wednesday the 29th at Southside Community Center, there's another on March 7th at Foster Community Center.
There's also a public hearing set for March 12th.
