By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Executive Chris Collins Thursday announced he is pulling the county out of the lawsuits trying to block the downtown casino. And he is already looking forward to revenues from the multi-million facility.
Collins said he has studied the matter and the planned $333 million casino and hotel complex is nothing but good economic news for the region. He points to a thousand promised jobs and shared profits from gambling revenues.
How much is yet uncertain.
Seneca officcials estimate possibly five to seven million annually for the county and the city to split if the permanent facility is built. Collins said how the money is shared still has to be negotiated.
Seneca President Maurice John said they are anxious to work with both municipalities. The Nation is already the seventh largest employer in Western New York, with roughly 3,200 employees at the three existing casinos.
And John didn't rule out the possibility of cooperation on other projects, such as a new convention center.
John said they have exceeeded expectations at the temporary Buffalo facility and will soon expand, adding more slot machines. He said they plan to break ground on the permanent facility this spring.
But casino opponents say that is a big gamble.
Members of Citizens for a Better Buffalo, the group suing to block the casino, say their case is as strong as ever. Former Congressman John LaFalce said the county pulling out of the lawwsuits has no legal relevance. He said he should know, since he was one of the lawmakers who crafted the laws on which the Senecas have based their claim to the land where the Buffalo Creek Casino is sited.
He said the Senecas proceed with construction at their own risk. A federal judge is expected to soon hear oral arguments in the case.
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