MGM Grand Detroit Casino has begun taking steps to build more luxurious properties on the site of a nearby Michigan State Plaza building, according to documents circulating in the construction industry.

MGM emphasizes that it has not made a final decision on where to build a permanent gambling center with hotels and additional amenities, but documents show it has hired general contractors Perini Building and L.S. Brinker to ask for a tender offer from a subcontractor to work on a site across the Lodge highway from an existing temporary casino.

When the Michigan Department of Management and Budget auctioned off the nearly empty property in April, MGM was the only bidder, offering $12.5 million. A "offer request" distributed by Perini and Brinker last week referred to the state square site as a "project description" and "planned project location."

But the deal with the state has not been struck, and MGM continues to keep an eye on other sites, including existing sites and land located along the western riverside.

MGM Grand Resorts CEO John Redmond said on Thursday that the state building was "where we have a lot of focus." "But we haven't fully decided yet," he insisted.

The project will comprise a 400-room hotel, a 135,000-square-foot casino, a 169,000-square-foot restaurant, a food court, a work-from-home space, and a 4,000-square-foot parking lot, according to a document circulating among potential subcontractors last week. The actual space for gambling will be limited to 100,000 square feet in permanent casinos.

According to the document, the construction must be completed by fall 2005 at the latest.  동행복권파워볼

Under a deal proposed by the gambling center and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, MGM Grand Detroit and rivals Motor City and Gristown Casino must complete 400 guest hotels by December 2005 to prepare them for the 2006 Super Bowl.

Motor City has announced plans to expand on its existing site.

Gristown has sewn land in two adjacent blocks of Gristown, but is also considering other sites near the entertainment district.

But the urgency for site selection and work has diminished since city officials last week extended their current development deal with casinos through July 31.