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Sacramento Casinos Expansion Mired in Controversy

"Four new Indian casinos, along with one expansion, are planned. If the various tribes don't fold on their preliminary figures, their projects could add up to as much as $500 million.

"Some projects, however, have been mired in controversy, and it's still too early to wager on how many will get built and how large they will turn out to be.

"…Here's a look at where each of the five stands:

"West Sacramento -- The Upper Lake Pomo Indians have proposed the Capitol Resort Hotel on 84 acres on the southeastern corner of Interstate 80 and Reed Avenue.

"…While some proposals target rural areas, this project would be in the heart of West Sacramento on land zoned for heavy commercial and retail activity. The proposed project would include a 300- to 400-room major resort hotel and a 200,000-square-foot casino, making it one of the largest Indian casinos in the state.

"Construction cost is estimated at between $100 million and $200 million, and the project would create about 3,000 jobs. In both size and style, the project would be of the same ilk as major casinos in Lake Tahoe.

"…South Placer County -- The United Auburn Indian Community plans to build a casino on 49 acres at Athens Avenue and Industrial Boulevard in the Sunset industrial area near Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln.

"The casino initially was proposed to be 200,000 square feet, including 75,000 square feet of gambling space as well as restaurants. Construction costs were initially estimated at more than $100 million. The size of the casino, though, is in flux, and the project is still very much on the drawing board.

"The cities of Rocklin and Roseville have filed a lawsuit to prevent construction. A federal judge could make a decision as early as this fall. If favorable to the tribe, construction could begin soon thereafter, said Doug Elmets, a tribe spokesman.

"…Yuba County -- The Enterprise Rancheria based in Butte County plans to build a $90 million casino and hotel near the AutoWest Amphitheater between Marysville and Sacramento.

"…It's hard to predict when construction could begin because the project is still so preliminary.

"…El Dorado County -- The Shingle Springs Rancheria wants to build a casino here, but this proposal is also tied up in controversy, and it's uncertain whether the project will have sufficient water.

"When the rancheria was annexed into the El Dorado Irrigation District in 1988, there was no casino proposal. Allocated water was for 40 homes.

"…The project, initially estimated at $100 million, would reportedly include an 82,000-square-foot casino and 250-room hotel. The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians operated a small casino on the property for five months in 1997 until neighbors sued and a judge ruled that the customers couldn't use a residential street that led up to the casino.

"Western Yolo County -- The Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians wants to expand its Cache Creek Indian Casino in the rural western part of the county near Brooks in the Capay Valley.

"The tribe wants to enlarge the casino, add a parking structure and hotel. The project, though, has become stuck in controversy, and the proposed size is in flux as intense negotiations continue with county officials…"

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