The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Southern California’s Coachella Valley has received approval from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) for a land transfer of 13 acres that will allow it to put land into trust that will enable it to open its third casino, this one in the downtown of Cathedral City.
Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe said, “We are excited to begin construction on this large-scale investment in Cathedral City.” He added, “This project will create jobs, revitalize an undeveloped downtown property and support Cathedral City’s economic development efforts.”
Cathedral City Mayor Mark Carnevale hailed the development as a “real game changer for downtown Cathedral City.” He added, “For more than a decade, the land where the casino will be built has been an eyesore to the community. Having a brand new gaming and entertainment center as a major anchor to our Downtown Arts and Entertainment District will spur more interest and development, provide quality entertainment for our residents and visitors, and generate additional revenue for city services. We have been waiting for this day to happen and we could not be more pleased.”
He noted that the downtown is being transformed into a district for quality theater, films, concerts, and outdoor festivals. “And soon to be added to our collection, gaming.”
The tribe acquired most of the parcel in 2017. It acquired the rest of it when it paid the city $5.5 million to relocate the fire station on the land.
The tribe previously received the August 28 3-0 approval of the Cathedral City council. Under the intergovernmental agreement the tribe will pay the city roughly $650,000 annually for a decade to mitigate casino impacts.
The tribe has a unique checkerboard reservation that creates enclaves all over the valley and intersects three cities, including Palm Springs.
The tribe has two casinos: the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, originally known as the Spa Resort Casino, and the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, originally the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.
The tribe is expected to announce a groundbreaking for the casino project soon.
