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Oakland Casino Plan Abandoned

OAKLAND, California – As reported by the Contra Costa Times: "City officials this morning declared victory in their fight against a proposed casino near Oakland International Airport, asserting that a North Bay Indian tribe silently abandoned the plan just months after promising it would bring the city millions in annual revenues.

"…To bolster their claim, city officials distributed a letter from Legacy Partners, the Foster City development firm that owns the 35-acre parcel on which the Lower Lake Rancheria Koi Nation had proposed its Crystal Bay Resort and Casino project.

"…City Councilman Larry Reid, the one council member who supported the casino plan, said the letter confirmed signals he had been receiving for the past six weeks that the tribe was backing out. Last month, Reid said, a consultant for the tribe told him the Koi Nation 'was seeking a graceful way out' of its controversial plan to build a project with 2,000 slot machines, 100 gaming tables and a seven-story hotel at Swan Way and Pardee Drive.

"…In January, the city councils in Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro all passed resolutions opposing the casino project, as did the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

"…Oakland's opposition came despite the tribe's pledge to guarantee $25 million in annual subsidies to the city over 20 years…"

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