The construction of the Permanent Greektown Casino began today, with completion of the new 3,100-space parking garage scheduled for mid 2007 and the new 400-room hotel and gaming floor expansion by mid 2008.

City of Detroit leaders watched as heavy construction equipment began demolishing the aging parking garage and apartment building that currently occupy the land at Monroe and I-375 where the new casino garage and hotel are being built.

According to information published today by CasinoCityTimes.com, in addition to the new hotel and parking garage, the permanent Greektown Casino complex will include a 25,000-square-foot gaming floor expansion, a 1,500-seat entertainment theater, meeting and convention room space, a spa and additional restaurants.

The total project budget is $475 million, which includes $275 million already invested in the current Greektown Casino and $200 million for the new hotel, parking garage and gaming floor expansion.