“We have not had any discussion with them. It’s up in the air what they plan to do,” he said.
“We’re not sure even if they have any options on any ground here in Monroe and any different ground that they might be looking at. We would have to amend the agreement we had with them because the original agreement was for that ground down by Butler-Warren Road on Corridor 75. It was specific to that piece.”
The Eastern Shawnee had been considering a casino for the site at Monroe’s Corridor 75 Park, a site southeast of Interstate 75 and Ohio 63, but the tribe and property owners did not renew the option for the purchase of the land, city officials said.
When that option fell through, the tribe proposed building a casino on a 123-acre site on the southeast corner of Greentree Road and Interstate 75 in Monroe and Turtle Creek Twp. in Warren County. Brock said he is not aware of any options the tribe may have on the piece of property that is owned by Mike Berns, of Berns Garden Center and Landscaping.
Councilman Tracy Shell said he believes the Eastern Shawnee has a land option with Berns for his Greentree Road property.
“I really don’t know what their intentions are. I believe that the addition of the gambling in Ohio may have them rethink their position on how they want to proceed,” he said.
Berns could not be reached for comment.
Councilman Bob Kelley said he feels the passage of the casino initiative may have further fueled the tribe’s plans.
“I think that opens the door for them because the entire time their premise was built on the fact that they’re allowed to legally have whatever is legal in the state. They wanted Class D-4 ( that allows roulette and slot machines) and Class D-4 was not legal in the state at that time. Through this new legislation, it now is legal in the state at this time,” he said.
“Since it’s been approved in the state by a ballot initiative, I can’t see any reason why they wouldn’t be able to get it now.”
Eastern Shawnee Chief Glenna Wallace could not be reached for comment.
If the Eastern Shawnee is still interested in conducting further talks with the city about bringing casino gambling to Monroe, the matter would have to go back to council for approval, Brock said.
“At this point it would have to go back to council and see what they would want to do because its been so long,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.
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