(WSBT) A local city is preparing for a major change later this week. The Four Winds Casino Project has been a decade in the making, and on Thursday, it will open its doors to the public.

New Buffalo is preparing for an influx of visitors every day. But people who have lived their entire lives in the community say they've already felt the impact, even before the first visitor places a bet.

Jack Stone enjoys taking care of the property on Wilson Road he's called home for 52 years. But he's noticed a lot of traffic recently — people looking for the Four Winds Casino using his driveway as a turnaround.

"When we built the house, you knew everybody that would come down the road. Now it's just constant. And when they open that casino it's going to be worse yet," Stone said.

Traffic is a big concern for New Buffalo city leaders, too. Mayor Bob Westergren says they're gearing up for anything that comes their way later this week.

"Obviously traffic is going to be one of the major, major issues for us," Westergren said.

New Buffalo already sees an increase of people on summer weekends — people heading to the beach. Now they're wondering what will happen when there are 15,000 extra people every day all year long.

"We see our priority calls going up because there will be more people, more accidents," Westergren said.

But the mayor says there should be benefits to his city, too. Because the Four Winds is being billed as a casino and resort, he hopes people will come for more than just gambling.

"They're going to come there and stay for three, four or five days. The family will want to come downtown do a little shopping, visit the restaurants. I think there's some good things there," he said.

That's something local businesses are counting on. For many, business slows down during the winter months and places like CM Christmas and Gifts hope the increase in traffic keeps the aisles full year-round, like they are in the summer.

"It was so full of people that you couldn't even move through the store. So that's what we're hoping for," said Rita Bayer of CM Christmas and Gifts.

But that kind of traffic doesn't matter to Stone. If there are too many cars in his neighborhood, he's already got a plan for his family.

"We're just going to wait and see what happens. If it gets too bad, I have some land over there in Indiana. I have 65 acres, I'll just go over there," he said.

New Buffalo has already gotten a taste of what lies ahead. More than 2,000 casino workers have to enter through a back entrance. That takes them through the downtown area and it's already put a strain on some city streets.

The city has hired an additional officer and anticipates adding more once the casino opens. But the mayor says he's excited about the casino and the opportunity it can be for his city.

Tuesday at 6, WSBT News will look at how other communities are hoping to cash in on the casino visitors.