The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho are moving forward with their plan to add a casino to the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Event Center in Fort Hall.
The tribes approved a project recovery plan and issued a request for proposals to design the proposed casino to replace the project’s former architect, Thalden Boyd Emery Architecture of St. Louis. Three current candidates, Womer & Associates of Spokane, Worth Group of Denver, and FFKR of Salt Lake City responded to the tribes’ RFD request and will meet with tribal officials to discuss potential casino architectural plans.
Tribal officials say they are looking for the firm with the best combination of price and design quality and the ability to manage the job while also taking into consideration the tribes’ cultural sensitivities.
An ad-hoc committee comprised of six tribal members, two of them from the government and the other four from tribal memberships, will interview the candidates and recommend the one they like the most.
The tribes’ respective legal counsels will review any potential agreements and casino designs to ensure compliance with tribal and federal laws during the construction of the proposed 70,000 square-foot casino. The tribes want to install 1,000 slot machines, a buffet, lounge, and food court in the proposed casino.
A winning contract likely will be announced in January.
