On August 5, the $300 million, 236,000-square-foot FireKeepers Casino, owned by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Indians, opened its doors to an eager crowd of about 250 in Battle Creek, Michigan. One of the five largest tribal gaming facilities in the United States, FireKeepers Casino features 2,680 slot machines, a 300-seat multipurpose and bingo room, 5 restaurants, and parking for 3,000 vehicles. The casino will be operated through a management agreement with Full House Resorts, Inc., a gaming management and development company that specializes in Tribal projects.

The casino opening marked the culmination of a more than 10-year effort, including an 8-year legal challenge and 18 months of construction. PBS&J supported the litigation activities and managed all aspects of project development, including public involvement.

PBS&J also managed and wrote the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the fee-to-trust land transfer to develop the casino. The project was prepared for co-lead federal agencies—the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Record of Decision for the EIS was signed in just 23 months, the shortest time period to date for a project of this magnitude.

“The new entertainment complex has been very well received in Michigan due to the boost to the local economy from revenue and jobs generated during construction, as well as the creation of more than 1,500 new jobs at the casino,” says PBS&J Project Manager Chris Miller, CWB, CF. “Through various agreements, the casino will return millions of dollars in gaming revenues annually to the state, local counties, cities, and townships,” he adds. Revenues returned to the Tribe will assist with self-sufficiency and other Tribal projects, including elder housing.