Potawatomi celebrates milestone in hotel development

MILWAUKEE -- Valet parking at Potawatomi Bingo Casino has a brand new look and location. It's part of the development of Potawatomi's $150 million hotel.

“We really wanted to strive for perfect guest service here and give them a nice, comfortable area where they can drop off and pick up their cars,” Potawatomi Bingo Casino External Communications Manager Ryan Amundson said.

The casino is in the middle of construction on its hotel, and just opened a new valet service center Monday morning, December 10th. It’s now on the first floor of the parking structure with 70 additional spaces and a glass enclosed waiting area.

Potawatomi visitor Lesley Jones says he likes the convenience of the new valet center.

“You don’t have all the hassle of the construction that’s going on and cars are real tight together, so this will work out real good. I like this,” Jones said.

Although Santa Claus isn’t known for being a gambling man, he took a break to check out the valet parking lot in his reindeer-clad Suburban.

“It is very busy, but I like to take time off for a few special occasions,” Santa said.

The valet drop off used to be in front of the building, which will soon be part of the hotel, and the pick up was outside Dream Dance Steak. Now, it’s a one stop shop inside the parking structure.

All of these additions at Potawatomi also mean jobs -- about 1,000 in construction and 230 permanent jobs when the hotel opens.

“We’re just real happy to be able to serve as an economic engine in that capacity,” Amundson said.

The cars rolling in and out of the new valet center display an early benchmark on a project with plenty more to come. The 20-story hotel at Potawatomi Bingo Casino will have nearly 400 smoke-free rooms, a spa and a restaurant.

It’s scheduled for completion in late summer or early fall of 2014.