On June 5th, 2009, a proposed American Indian tribe casino in the western suburban area of Phoenix, near the University of Phoenix Stadium, has cleared one final federal problem but faces more before it can be constructed.
The U.S. Interior Department passed plans by the Tohono O'odham Nation for a casino facility on county land bordering Glendale to be further studied for final federal approval. The O'odham tribe wants to construct a 1.2 million square foot casino facility and resort on unincorporated county land located at 91st and Northern avenues. The O'odham Indian tribe reservation can be found in Tucson, but a 1983 federal law permits the tribe to acquire lands in the Phoenix and Casa Grande areas to replace the lands it previously lost.
The O'odham used that law in their attempt to get the Glendale casino facility approved by the US government. The approval received this week was a preliminary study of the plan and the US Interior Department will further study the plan. The city of Glendale is fighting the tribe's casino plans, citing concerns about the costs of infrastructure in the area, security and traffic.
Glendale officials and some real estate developers in West Valley are also worried about the effect of the casino on the area's development. The casino facility is located north of UOP Stadium, Jobing.com Arena and Westgate City Center. The Arizona Cardinals and National Football League have said they do not oppose the casino facility.
06/25/2009 21:30 PM
Davis Coulter