Archer was recently able to convince the Detroit City Council togive him anotheryear, until Dec. 31, 2001, to bring the landtogether."It had become obvious that it would be physicallyimpossible to close onthe remaining businesses and move them toanother location," says Archer'sspokesman Greg Bowens.The extensionwas approved by the council by a 6-3 vote. It'sfortunate, saysBowens, because the license that allows the temporarycasinos tostay open would have been voided if the deadline wasn't met.

The Greektown Casino, the MGM Grand Casino and the MotorCityCasino havealready opened temporary facilities in the city, and arereportedly earning$1 million a day each. Each hoped to build largepermanent casinos, withrestaurants and hotels included, by 2003.This extension may push theopening date back until at least 2004,or even a year later. The casinosexpect to earn 40% more once theirpermanent facilities are up,Bowens says.He says only two smallgroups remain to negotiate with to complete theacquisition for theentire parcel.

"Our negotiations have ebbed and flowed. We hear that we mayreach a dealsometime in the next four to five months," henotes.Land owners have jacked up their prices and hired attorneystonegotiate high settlement prices for the now-popular parcels ofproperty.Bowens said he has to keep quiet about how much the cityis paying those who have made a deal so the remaining owners don'tlearn how much they received.