Washington’s Tulalip Tribes’ newest project will be a 0 million replacement for its Quil Ceda Creek Casino in Snohomish County, which first opened 25 years ago.
The working name for the new facility is QCC2, will be a 110,000-square foot casino and will be sited across the street from the existing casino. Additions will include a new entertainment venue and more restaurants, an expanded gaming floor and new parking structure. Work will begin later this year and be completed by early 2019 at the latest.
It’s also considered a complement to the tribe’s main casino, the Tulalip Resort Casino, three miles away, although it will only be two-thirds of its size.
Tribal Chairman Marie Zackuse told the Daily Herald “It’s time for a new one. We’re going to keep it as the locals’ casino and cater to what they like. It will be more entertainment and more food venues, but keeping that feel for the locals.”
The new casino will be built on 15 acres now occupied by an Arby’s restaurant and tribal law enforcement offices and courthouse. They will move down the street to a former Hewlett-Packard building, which is being renovated. This will allow the police and court to double their size.
The CEO and president of Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Patrick Pierce, calls the casino an “economic engine,” according to the Herald. He quipped, “I’m a fan of the quote, ‘When it comes to economic development, they’ve been doing this for hundreds, if not thousands of years. I have a lot of respect for what they do.”
The tribe currently employs 3,700 workers and is the county’s third largest employer. Although it does provide jobs for the tribe, 68 percent are not tribal.
