Time to roll the dice on Block E?
There was renewed talk at the Capitol today about an up-scale casino proposed for Minneapolis' ailing Block E.
Asked about a Senate bill, GOP deputy majority leader Geoff Michel said he wasn't ready to talk about it yet, but could have more to say within 48 hours. At least three people familiar with talks about the project say they believe supporters will have a public announcement about the project on Wednesday -- neatly dovetailing with Michel's comments.
GOP Representative Bob Gunther, of Fairmont and chair of the Jobs and Economic Development committee, said he hasn't seen anything on it yet, although his panel would be a likely early stop for any Block E casino bill.
The casino would actually be in DFL Rep. Bobby Jo Champion's district.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
"I heard that there's a proposal to do some job creation by a casino being placed in downtown Minneapolis," Champion said today. "I did have some thoughts, without seeing any legislation, (about) how do we think about our relationship between the state and the tribes."
He wouldn't commit, though, to whether he thought it would be a good idea or not.
"Whenever we talk about job creation and things that would be beneficial, I am always open to that, but I don't like to say if its good or bad without seeing the language," Champion said. "Conceptually, it sounds like a good idea, but I don't know. I have an open mind about it."
And he isn't the only one thinking about it. Planners of a potential Vikings stadium on the Farmers Market site near Target Field in Minneapolis even slipped in a reference to it in a 64-page study they released today. Herewith: