Should Macomb County Gamble on a Lakeside Casino?

Local leaders are mixed on whether they'd roll the dice on a Lake St. Clair casino.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has expressed interest in a privately owned marina casino as a draw for the county and financial means to clean the lake. The initiative would require support of a waterside community as well as voter and federal approval.

"Everybody keeps talking about casinos in some of these trouble cities," Hackel said. "Put one out here on the lake, in one of the marinas and turn it into a marina facility. There is so much potential that we would have if (marinas and communities) were allowed to open up or expose the business sector to try to create something around this natural resource that we have."

Hackel has made for recreational and business opportunities a priority. He has a dedicated a position in the planning and economic development department to coordinate the efforts for the an effort to capitalize on the county's waterways with recreational and business opportunities.

Other projects which may be considered include a lakefront pier extending in Lake St. Clair, a lakefront path along Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, canoeing, paddleboating and increased public access.

On Monday, lakeside community leaders had mixed reactions to the idea.

Chesterfield Township Supervisor Michael Lovelock said he thinks St. Clair Shores would be an ideal fit for the casino because of the Nautical Mile filled with marinas and highly frequented businesses.

"It wouldn't fit in my neighborhood," Lovelock said. "I don't have enough space."

Despite the previous talks about a casino in the township as means to attract visitors and business to the community, Lovelock said he's not sold on one.

"I don't think casinos would be a way to bring revenue into our town," he said, expressing concerns residents could gamble away their earnings and lose their property in already difficult economic times. 

"In the beginning, I think it would be a great revenue source, but in the end, I think it would be bad for the community," he said.

Donna Flaherty, president of the in St. Clair Shores and owner of , was excited about the proposal.

"A casino would make (the Nautical Mile) a destination," Flaherty said. "It would definitely benefit the area."

New Baltimore Mayor Larry Smith said he was open to the notion.

"It would obviously be an attraction for Macomb County," Smith said. "It would certainly be an advantage to the county."

He said a marina casino could generate tax revenue for the city, but he would have to see if the infrastructure along Anchor Bay could support such an endeavor. He also wasn't sure about the feasibility of the project.

"I'm sure every community would like to have it. ... It's wishful thinking on his behalf and from us, too."