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A Steuben County developer has unveiled plans for a more than $500 million lakeside destination resort that he believes would strengthen the county’s bid for Indiana’s newest commercial casino license.
Local Realtor and developer Mark Hansberger is proposing the project on Walters Lake, west of Fremont, as Steuben County competes with Allen and DeKalb counties for the single casino license authorized under House Bill 1038. The proposal emphasizes a full-scale resort rather than a standalone casino.
Resort vision extends beyond Indiana casino gaming
Hansberger said the project is designed to become a year-round tourism destination, with the casino serving as just one component of the broader development.
“That’s the difference, because this is a resort with a casino,” Hansberger said.
Plans call for a 400-room hotel, restaurants, family attractions, walking trails and other resort amenities. The casino would be built farther back into the hillside, while the hotel and recreational facilities would occupy the lakeshore to help preserve scenic views and reduce the impact on nearby homes.
“It has to be good for the county, it has to be good for the people here, it has to be good for the lake, it has to be good for our entire area,” Hansberger said.
Walters Lake location offers competitive advantage
The proposed development would occupy a 186-acre property west of Fremont featuring more than 3,400 feet of Walters Lake shoreline. The site is located minutes from Interstate 69, roughly a half-mile from the Michigan border and about a mile from the Indiana Toll Road.
Hansberger argues the location gives Steuben County a unique advantage because of its proximity to Michigan. Citing a feasibility study commissioned by the Steuben County Economic Development Corp., he said nearly half of the resort’s projected gaming revenue could come from out-of-state visitors.
The same study estimated the development could create between 800 and 1,200 jobs while generating up to $16.6 million in annual local tax revenue.
Hansberger said he intends to serve as the developer and landowner rather than the casino operator and has already begun discussions with several potential resort operators.
Proposal remains in its early stages
The resort concept was presented ahead of a Fremont Plan Commission meeting, which focused on a proposed overlay district for the property rather than the casino itself.
The proposed zoning framework would establish development standards covering environmental protections, lighting, traffic management and design requirements before any formal development plans move forward.
Local officials have emphasized that the planning process is still in its early stages, and no casino proposal has been approved. Some nearby residents have also voiced concerns about the potential impact on the lake community, according to a WANE news report.
Indiana casino race heads toward November referendum
Indiana lawmakers approved House Bill 1038 earlier this year, creating a process for one new commercial casino license in northeast Indiana.
Steuben County commissioners have since approved placing a casino gambling referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. If voters approve the measure, developers will have until Dec. 1 to submit formal proposals to the Indiana Gaming Commission, which will ultimately decide whether Steuben, Allen or DeKalb County receives the license.
The Walters Lake proposal concerns a land-based casino license only. Players looking to learn more about the state’s digital gambling landscape can read our guide to Indiana online casinos, which explains the current legal status of online casino gaming and how it differs from retail casino gambling.
