Groundbreaking occurred two months ago, and last week preliminary site work has been completed on the Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise’s 0 million casino resort in Glendale, Arizona, and major construction work as set to start immediately, officials said. The initial structure, which will be completed within 12 months, will house a temporary gaming area and two restaurants. The permanent facility is expected to be completed in early 2016.
Tohono O’odham Gaming Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Andy Asseli said, “We’re very excited to be moving forward with developing this state-of-the-art entertainment facility. We are eager to begin gaming and creating thousands of jobs and positive economic development in the West Valley.”
Phase one of the project will feature more than 1,000 slots, restaurants, a bar, rewards center and cage, plus a 1,100-space surface parking lot. Phase two will include the main gaming facility. The initial structure will eventually serve as the complex’s administration building. More than 500 new permanent jobs will be created in phase one, with thousands more upon completion of the casino resort. Tribal leaders said the project will have an annual economic impact of more than $300 million. They have been meeting with Glendale officials regarding fire protection and other services.
Other Arizona tribes and the city of Glendale fought the Tohono O’odham casino for years. The tribes contended the West Valley site violated a longstanding agreement with the state limiting tribal gaming. Earlier this year, after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to stop the casino, and losing every court battle, the Glendale city council reversed its position against the Tohono O’odham project, and voted to support it. In addition, in a 4-3 vote, the council also approved the tribe’s plan to pay Glendale a one-time payment of $500,000 and share an average of $1.3 million in revenues annually over the next 20 years.
Currently the only formal opposition is in the U.S. Congress, with duplicate bills sponsored by U.S. Rep. Trent Franks and U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake. The House approved Franks’ bill but the Senate has taken no action following a September 17 hearing before the Committee on Indian Affairs. The committee chairman, Senator Jon Tester, has not announced plans to bring the measure up for a vote.
