New casino, hotel shot down in KBIC election

BARAGA — A new Baraga casino for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community will not be happening, at least for the time being.

Tribal voters voted down two referenda during this past weekend’s general election that would have paved the way for the construction for a new bayside casino. They rejected a plan to purchase the Baraga Lakeside Inn and a proposal to spend more than $31 million to renovate the hotel and build a new casino on the property.

Tribal members had approved a similar proposal to purchase the hotel earlier this year, but the deal couldn’t be closed before a bank foreclosed on the property.

The earlier vote was criticized by opponents of the proposal because it was held in a public forum.

Voters also approved to recognize same-sex marriages and a proposal to allow tribal members 21 and older to possess marijuana for personal use.

To see the unofficial election results, including those for the tribal council, click here.