The city of Tucson, Arizona and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe are in talks for something truly unprecedented: a pact that would allow the tribe to put land into trust inside the city and open a casino in what was once an old drive-in cinema.
It would be the fifth casino in greater Tucson area.
The tribe purchased the 14.8 acre property—which is located near Interstate 10, for $4.65 million in 2011. It once hosted a drive-in theater. It is next to the original 1.7 acre Yaqui Village. That parcel would continue with its original use for cultural and ceremonial purposes.
According to Tucson City Manager Albert Elias the land is zoned so the tribe could do almost any commercial activity there anyway. However, it would require that the Bureau of Indian Affairs put it into trust for a casino to be allowed. The tribe has already put in its request to the BIA.
He called the tribal-city agreement the “necessary first step” to that happening. The city council is not being asked to vote on the proposal yet. It’s still in the study phase, although city staff is recommending it. According to Elias, “There won’t be a vote, but an opportunity to learn more. From a land-use point of view, it’s a great location and a very valuable piece of real estate.”
The agreement would, if adopted, give the city a share of the gaming profits. The tribe would also pay to the city a percentage of retail and prepared food sales, receipts from amusements such as cinema and video games and hotel rental.
Recently Chairman Robert Valencia wrote the following letter to local media: “In our view, the IGA [inter-governmental agreement] represents an innovative and creative approach on the part of the City of Tucson and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to create a framework for cooperation as the tribe seeks to take lands into trust in this important tribally recognized community – an approach that elevates communication and cooperation above all else.”
The city would provide municipal services such as water, and emergency services such as fire and police. City police would be deputized by the tribe so they could serve as tribal police officers.
Although the land would be sovereign tribal land, the tribe would agree to comply with city building and fire codes, including inspections by fire marshals.
Existing casinos in the area include Casino del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center, Casino of the Sun, both owned by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe; Desert Diamond Casino and Entertainment and Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel, operated by the Tohono O’odham Tribe.
Tucson is the state’s second-largest city with about 536,000 residents.
