Shakopee Mdewakanton May Build Mall of America Hotel

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is considering investing in a 330-room hotel as part of the Mall of America's $230 million northern expansion.

"We’ve reached out to a number of potential partners to work on the hotel, and [the tribe] was one potential partner,” mall spokesman Dan Jasper told the Star Tribune. “But we have a number of options and opportunities.”

The mall's expansion will also include 150,000 square feet for high-end retailers, an office building, an international center and event space. A $138 million, 500-room hotel opened on the mall's south end in March.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton, which operates a Mystic Lake store at the Mall of America, has no plans for a casino in the mall. 

“We are still conducting the necessary due diligence to ensure that the investment is a good fit for our community,” the tribe said in a statement, according to the Star Tribune. “However, it is in our market, and we believe it would help diversify our investments and further strengthen our relationship with MOA.”