Hackel envisions marina-casino on Lake St. Clair

**begingri** · March-21-11, 12:51 PM

By ELISHA ANDERSON
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel is floating some lofty ideas in his new role.
Among them: a marina-casino on Lake St. Clair, lakefront hotel, freshwater aquarium, major league stadium, 4-year college and an airport.

Many of the ideas for Macomb County are in the conversation stage and far from becoming a reality.

If there are new gaming licenses that become available, Hackel wants Macomb considered, but there hasn’t been any movement to bring an investor-backed casino to the county.

Continued at: http://www.freep.com/article/2011032.../1002/business

**Gistok** · March-21-11, 02:08 PM

It's nice to dream, isn't it.... unfortunately a casino is a non-starter issue. It ain't gonna happen.

As for a 4 year college... that's an idea who's time has come... MCCC just doesn't cut it.

Major league stadium? Is there a Detroit major league that is without one? Is a decreasing metro population gonna support another major league? I hardly think so.

A freshwater aquarium isn't a bad idea... if one doesn't get built in Detroit anytime soon, it could end up "upstream"....

A lakefront hotel would be nice in St. Clair Shores... if the demand is there?? Harrison Twp. is not exactly a business oasis... ditto for New Baltimore... although they're both nice places.

An airport? Yes Selfridge could be converted into a civilian airport... but who's gonna pay for it? And what about the NIMBY crowd that will surely line up against it...

Macomb County residents are rather stingy about paying taxes as it is.

**East Detroit** · March-21-11, 02:24 PM

Bunch of rehashed ideas that nobody liked the first time.

Or is he still hoping his cronies can live at One Water Place?

MCC [[hasnt been MCCC in many, many years) has a multitude of 4 year degrees you can get on campus from places such as Wayne State.

Casino won't happen, can't happen, and is just a tool for division.

**Jimaz** · March-21-11, 04:37 PM

He's sure ambitious. More power to him.

Cleaning up the Clinton River so people can canoe and kayak is one way to jump-start economic development, he said.

That one sounds doable. They're already building a new canoe launch on the west side of Van Dyke south of Hall Rd. in Utica. At least I think that's what it is. Last I checked the project was stalled but it might start again with nicer weather.

They've also added a new fishing platform over the river and plan to add a pedestrian bridge over the Clinton.

**begingri** · March-23-11, 09:11 PM

Hackel floats Macomb marina-casino idea
Some local leaders see Lake St. Clair proposal as long shot

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110322/...#ixzz1HTlOx1lO

**DetroitPlanner** · March-24-11, 07:46 AM

Notice how the casino is only part of Hackel's plan picked up by the people and media here? He used it as an example of something, not as the only solution. He wants to be able to use the Lakefront and Clinton River to draw economic development to his county.

Whats wrong with that?

**ghettopalmetto** · March-24-11, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Notice how the casino is only part of Hackel's plan picked up by the people and media here? He used it as an example of something, not as the only solution. He wants to be able to use the Lakefront and Clinton River to draw economic development to his county.

Whats wrong with that?

It's one thing to focus on the natural resources of Macomb County--the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair--to improve quality of life.

The mere fact that Hackel is also floating ideas for "a marina-casino on Lake St. Clair, lakefront hotel, freshwater aquarium, major league stadium, 4-year college and an airport" tells me he's not serious. The guy is just grasping for straws, embracing every pre-packaged silver-bullet tried-and-failed "economic development" strategy from the 1980s.

bartock · March-24-11, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Notice how the casino is only part of Hackel's plan picked up by the people and media here? He used it as an example of something, not as the only solution. He wants to be able to use the Lakefront and Clinton River to draw economic development to his county.

Whats wrong with that?

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

**Gistok** · March-24-11, 08:35 AM

What is it about people wanting casinos on waterfront sites... and those that happen have no windows for a waterfront view?

**esp1986** · March-24-11, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

What is it about people wanting casinos on waterfront sites... and those that happen have no windows for a waterfront view?

Didn't Michael Jackson pitch a riverfront Casino/Amusement Park/Pedophile Paradise?

**Novine** · March-24-11, 09:10 AM

"What is it about people wanting casinos on waterfront sites... and those that happen have no windows for a waterfront view?"

Thumbs up. A casino is a warehouse for slot machines and gamblers. Unless it has a hotel or convention center attached to it, it's a waste of good waterfront property to put them there.