The owners of the MGM Grand Casino have presented a new $500-million permanent casino/hotel plan to the city council, for 25 acres on the intersection next to the Lodge and I-75 freeways. MGM Mirage has purchased the land.

The MotorCity Casino has announced plans to expand at its present site at the Lodge Freeway and Grand River Avenue, on 23 acres of adjacent land. The casino will build a 16-floor hotel with the required 400 rooms, an 800-seat showroom, new restaurants and lounges, a 50,000-sf convention center area, a spa and fitness center along with additional retail outlet space. With the new expansion, the casino also will grow its 68,000 sf of gaming space to 100,000 sf.

The Greektown Casino claims to have mapped out a 40-story, 400-room hotel for a site bordered by the I-375 service drive, Clinton Street, St. Antoine Street and Gratiot Avenue. It's to be supported by 4,655 parking spaces, a 1,500-seat theater, a spa,pool and fitness center.

The city-casino agreement requires the expansions to be completed by the time of the Super Bowl, to be held at Detroit's new Ford Field in early 2006.

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick believes the court will move quickly to ensureconstruction can begin soon. He notes the Court of Appeals has not made its final ruling on the merits of the appeal

"This ruling doesn't impact the city's timeline, at all," Kilpatrick says. "It is a standard practice of the courts, and we have confidence in the court system. The city of Detroit is pleased the court indicated it would act promptly."