The proposed casino for the southeast side of South Bend will benefit the city after the Common Council voted unanimously in favor of an agreement with the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians.
The vote took place during the South Bend Common Council’s regular meeting on Monday night, April 11, after hearing comments from a divided crowd, our news partners ABC 57 reported.
As part of the agreement, the city of South Bend will get 2 percent of the casino’s revenue every year for about 100 years, in lieu of property taxes. The tribe will also donate money to several parks and local organizations. In return, the city will not allow another casino to be built within city limits.
The city of South Bend cannot stop the Pokagon Band’s casino because it would be built on tribal land, Mayor Pete Buttigieg said during the meeting. The council can, he said, decide how the community benefits from it.
The Pokagon Band is waiting to break ground on the casino until it is approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The South Bend Common Council also voted Monday night to repeal the city’s social media ordinance.
- RELATED: South Bend Common Council to consider repealing social media policy, April 7, 2016
