Talks between the city of Lansing and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewas may have begun in February according to Ted O'Dell, head of the Lansing Jobs Coalition.

O'Dell's group started gathering signatures for a casino petition in February of this year and says his group was contacted by the tribe shortly afterward. O'Dell says he then made the introduction between the city and the tribe.

A MIRS report released last week said the city was in serious talks with the tribe to bring a tribal casino to Lansing. Both Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewas have stayed quiet, refusing comment and neither confirming or denying talks were ongoing.

O'Dell says he has not been involved in discussions, but has heard from city officials that the most tempting location for Lansing is off of the Grand River in a spot Downtown, although O'Dell says he doesn't know the specific piece of property being discussed.

Mayor Bernero has said he's very interested in bringing a casino to Lansing, but Lansing City Council members WILX spoke to Monday were a little more hesitant.

"The devil's in the detail and until we know what that detail is it's going to be very difficult for us to decide," said city council member Brian Jeffries.

"I've heard arguments in favor and against," said Council vice president Kathie Dunbar. "Theoretically I've heard it increases jobs, theoretically I've heard it increases poverty."

It's unclear how much time it would take to open a casino in Lansing. Any sale of off-reservation land has to be bought by the tribe and brought into trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Then that tribe would have to receive further approval to open up a casino on that location.