DETROIT, MI – Rock Ventures CEO Matt Cullen said that Downtown Detroit’s Greektown Casino could be more connected to its surrounding community, making a more vibrant area.
His comments, which came Thursday at the Detroit Policy Conference, carry weight because he and Dan Gilbert's Rock Gaming company announced last month they agreed to buy majority interest in Greektown Superholdings, the casino and hotel's parent company.
“We really believe you can open that casino up,” Cullen said. “It’s a great district. We think you can open it up and tie it into Greektown.”
Since Rock Gaming annocuned their intention to essentially takeover Greektown Casino-Hotel through an affiliate company, Athens Acquisition LLC, there has been little movement, aside from Greektown Superholdings acknowledging the offer. Earlier this month, the Detroit Free Press reported that GIlbert had abandoned trying to negotiate with Greektown Superholdings board and would instead attempt to purchase shares from an undisclosed number of minoriyt shareholders.
On Thursday, Cullen did not speak specifically to the purchase attempt while reiterating his firm’s intentions for the area surrounding the casino-hotel.
“We think you can re-energize Greektown in a significant way,” he said. “It’s all about connectivity, and why can’t we connect Greektown over to Campus Martius from that standpoint? Why can’t we connect Greektown over to the entertainment districts and the stadium?”
Rock Gaming was launched in 2010 to develop casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati. It partnered with Caesars Entertainment to open Horseshoe Casino Cleveland in May 2012. Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati is set to open March 4.
The company said it has no plans to partner with Caesars Entertainment at Greektown Casino-Hotel.
“Our plans are in the early phases, however, we envision significant investment in the Greektown Casino-Hotel, as well as the enhancement and growth of the existing entertainment district,” Gilbert said in a release last month. “We see this unique area extending to Campus Martius and along Woodward Avenue building on the positive momentum already occurring in the heart of downtown Detroit.”
More from the conference:
-With emergency manager on the way, Mayor Dave Bing comments on debt exaggeration claims
-'Creative Class' author Richard Florida: Region should stop blaming Detroit
-State economic development official: It has to get easier for businesses to open in Detroit
-Rock Ventures CEO Matt Cullen on making Detroit an attractive place to 'live, work and play'
-Opening date of Whole Foods in Midtown Detroit to be announced Friday
-Rock Ventures to host design contest for building at Hudson's site in Downtown Detroit