SEARCH NEWS:

 

Washington State Tribe Plans Casino

SNOQUALMIE, Washington – As reported by the Seattle Times: "Officials with the Snoqualmie Tribe and the city of Snoqualmie recently struck a deal that is one of the most comprehensive agreements in the nation between a tribe and a municipality.

"Even as the tribe awaits a federal decision on its application to turn a 56-acre parcel off Interstate 90 into a reservation, tribal officials are laying the groundwork to build their $60 million, 147,000-square-foot Casino Snoqualmie on the site.

"To that end, the tribe began negotiating with the city almost three years ago, and last week the Snoqualmie City Council unanimously agreed to extend sewer lines and provide police, fire and emergency services to the tribe's property.

"…The tribal council, which also unanimously approved the agreement, will be responsible for building sewer lines on the casino site to connect with the city's lines.

"…Bob Anderson, director of the University of Washington's Native American Law Center, said the agreement between the Snoqualmie Tribe and the city is likely the most far-reaching contract between a tribe and a municipality in the nation.

"…Under the agreement, the tribe also will pay about $140,000 a year to cover the salary and other costs of one police officer, plus $50,000 for a new police cruiser. The two sides are still working out protocols for police response because there are some questions about jurisdiction on Indian land.

"…The two governments also agreed to work together to provide shuttle service from a planned tribal retail store in downtown Snoqualmie to the future casino…"

< Gaming News