Connect with us

#NNPA BlackPress

Gary approves final plans for $400M Hard Rock Casino

CHICAGO CRUSADER — By a 9-0 vote, the council approved a deal that would allow Spectacle to move the Majestic Star casino near Interstate 80-94 and Burr Street, where it would be transformed into a 30-acre Hard Rock Casino entertainment complex that will include a 200-room hotel and one of the company’s signature cafés. The new casino would create 650 new jobs and would feature 2,764 gaming positions, compared to 1,683 now at its two Majestic Star boats. Spectacle is paying the state $20 million to relocate the casino on land.

Published

on

Hard Rock Casino Rendering

By Crusader Staff Report

Spectacle Entertainment’s plans to build a $400 million Hard Rock Casino in Gary was unanimously approved by the City Council at a special meeting on Tuesday, August 27.

By a 9-0 vote, the council approved a deal that would allow Spectacle to move the Majestic Star casino near Interstate 80-94 and Burr Street, where it would be transformed into a 30-acre Hard Rock Casino entertainment complex that will include a 200-room hotel and one of the company’s signature cafés.

The new casino would create 650 new jobs and would feature 2,764 gaming positions, compared to 1,683 now at its two Majestic Star boats. Spectacle is paying the state $20 million to relocate the casino on land.

Spectacle wants to begin construction immediately to meet its goal of opening the Hard Rock Casino by the end of 2020.

At its meeting Tuesday, the City Council also agreed to a deal that would require Spectacle to give the city 3 percent of the casino’s adjusted gross receipts and those revenues should not fall below a minimum $6.15 million. John Keeler, vice president and general counsel for Spectacle, said in one news report that revenue that’s higher than $6.15 million will be placed in a community development fund for charitable purposes.

The plan now goes before the Indiana Gaming Commission, which held a meeting on the plan on Wednesday, August 28, but no details were available by Crusader press time.

Council members accused Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson of not providing a copy of the agreement to them in time for the meeting. Freeman-Wilson was reportedly in Indianapolis on Tuesday attending another meeting.

Chief of Staff Dayna Bennet, according to one news report, said talks between the city and Spectacle Entertainment continued to about 4 p.m., making it difficult to rework a final copy that would have been provided to each of the nine council members.

City leaders initially called for Spectacle to give Gary a $5 million loan upfront, but Spectacle’s owners hinted that may be a challenge. Spectacle’s owners said if the company can secure a loan, they can provide Gary with the loan, which would be repaid through casino revenue.

In addition to the 3 percent from casino revenue, Spectacle said it would pay an additional 3 percent of the revenue from sports betting from mobile bets.

Spectacle is also seeking a state license to open a casino in Terre Haute. The company hopes residents in Terre Haute, will pass a casino referendum on November 5. If voters approve, the state will take bids for the license. If Spectacle is given the opportunity to operate a casino in Terre Haute, it will provide Gary with 5 percent of adjusted gross receipts from that casino for 10 years.

If it wins the license to open a casino in Terre Haute, Keeler said Spectacle would honor previous 2018 LDA language and provide Gary with 0.5 percent of the adjusted gross receipts of the Terre Haute casino for 10 years.

Spectacle promised to give their “best effort” to retain 40 percent minority vendors, 10 percent women and 5 percent veterans.

This article originally appeared in The Chicago Crusader.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

on

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

 

 

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

on

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org

Continue Reading

#NNPA BlackPress

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Election Night on The Yard at Howard University

Published

on

By

[This post contains video, click to play]

 

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.