Supreme Court Could Decide Casino Land Dispute

(photo courtesy of Dan Carden/The Times of Northwest Indiana)

A dispute over a small piece of land near the new Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary could go before the Indiana Supreme Court. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the dispute centers around the parcel, sold at a Lake County tax sale, which is currently surrounded by the casino parking lot.

The 0.04-acre parcel is 10 feet wide and 165 feet deep, currently fenced off from the parking lot.

According to the publication, the Lake County Circuit Court ruled in December that the brother of the land’s original owner was entitled to reclaim his interest in the property through payment of past-due taxes, assessments, interest in fees. Doing so would allow the land to be sold to the casino.

However, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in June that Windy City Acquisitions LLC had complied with the notice requirements to acquire the property at the tax sale, reversing the circuit court’s decision. Windy City Acquisitions is working on the casino parent company’s behalf.

The Times reports the brother, Lloyd Sims, has transferred his interest in the property to a Brentwood Equitable Trust. Attorneys for the trust asked the Supreme Court last week to terminate the appeals court ruling.

Attorneys for Windy City Acquisitions is expected to respond to the petition, after which the Supreme Court will review both filings and decide whether to hear the case. That decision could come by the end of the year. If they decide not to hear the case, the property will go to the casino.

The property is expected to add 40 parking spaces to the casino.