July 16: Developer Mark Hansbarger discusses 'Freedom Bay' casino resort concept in Steuben County
Developer Mark Hansbarger pitches a nine-hole golf resort and casino concept called Freedom Bay in Steuben County, pending a November referendum.Summary
Developer Mark Hansbarger is promoting his Walters Lake property as a potential nine-hole golf resort and casino, named Freedom Bay, should Steuben County be selected for an Indiana gaming license. The proposal includes a hotel and golf course, and Hansbarger argues that controlled access design is central to the plan, routing traffic from Interstate 69 Exit 357 to keep resort traffic away from Fremont neighborhoods. He emphasizes that the development would feature deep woodland buffers, expanded setbacks, and strict height restrictions to ensure the gaming portion is not visible from the street or golf course, creating a park-like environment. Freedom Bay is planned to fill a void left by the recent closings of local golf clubs, and Hansbarger notes that the 1% gaming component would fund the protections that safeguard the resort's other 99%.
(Source：Fort Wayne Business Weekly)