It has been 17 years and 109 days since the city’s pledge to build the West Branch Library.
In the Arizona Republic of April 17, 2015 Peter Corbett has reported in a story entitled State vows to block casino in W. Valley, the state is prepared to block the Tohono O’odham casino from opening in Glendale this fall. Here is the link: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2015/04/16/arizona-gaming-agency-will-block-valley-casino-opening/25915541/ .
Arizona’s Department of Gaming director, Daniel Bergin, recently sent a letter to the Tohono O’odham (TO) in which he claimed “fraud perpetrated by (the tribe) upon the state, Arizona gaming tribes and the state’s voters.” On that basis he could not allow the casino to open. He went on to say, “…the (gaming agency) would exceed its authority if it were to proceed with certification…” The agency’s position is supported by Governor Doug Ducey. Ducey in a letter to the agency directed it to deny a gaming license and said that the TO was forcing the issue by construction of the temporary casino now.
I, and many, many Glendale residents, especially those within the Yucca district, site of the temporary casino, applaud the actions of the state Gaming Director and the Governor. The only reasons Glendale succumbed to the siren song of the TO, is that Councilmember Gary Sherwood flip flopped on his anti casino election stance and then 4 members of council took the TO’s thirty pieces of silver. A majority of this council changed the course of an entire city. It’s fair to expect that the TO will challenge the state’s action in court in a process guaranteed to go on for months if not another year. That is sure to guarantee that the temporary casino cannot and will not open this fall. Chairman of the TO, Ned Norris Jr., as expected declared his outrage at what he called the state’s “untenable position.”
Don’t forget that more action waits in the wings. The Keep the Promise Act of 2015 introduced by Senators McCain and Flake will see a vote up or down this year. The general assumption is the legislation will pass through Congress and stop the casino for once and for all.
It’s time to shut the doors on a Tohono O’odham casino, temporary or otherwise, in Glendale. It is ironic that a tribe that promotes gambling, itself gambled. It looks like the house will win and they will lose.
© Joyce Clark, 2015
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Build the casino……git er done….brings in money and jobs….year round flow of tourists with money.
This $26M payment the story talks about Glendale taking to drop their lawsuit against the tribe and casino, is nothing more than a bribe. (“Here’s $1,000 for tickets to the policeman’s ball if you can make my parking tickets go away.”) If the Counsel thought it was so good for the City in the first place, why did it take a $26M payment (and whatever contributions to election campaigns) to change their minds?
Very few people, especially in the media, are talking about the long-term effects if the T.O. casino opens in Glendale. Just wait until they start popping up in neighborhoods in Scottsdale and Chandler. Bet those citizens won’t be happy.
The best thing that could happen is both the Senate and House ratify the Bills and get it in front of Obama to sign into law. This is clearly a bi-partisan issue, and hopefully government won’t get in the way of itself this time. Although I highly doubt it.
I am fairly neutral on this issue. One concern I have is what will the TO’s put in that location if they are denied the casino license?
It seems as though the anti crowd assumes that the TO’s will shut down and give the land to Glendale. Case closed.
What happens if they put in a huge mega Walmart type complex with dozens of shops and amenities that really compete with Westgate? And by the way, no sales taxes for Glendale on a reservation. Ask Prescott how it worked out for them.
I think the pro crowd is also narrow visioned on this topic. It appears that they think everything will work out fine and they will be pulling the lever of a one-armed bandit come hell or high water. What if the TO’s build thousands of apartments? You think you have infrastructure problems with a casino? You ain’t seen nothing yet.
I am concerned about this project no matter what happens.
Make no mistake…. this isn’t just a casino the Tohono’s are building. It’s a full blown resort complex which will include a hotel, bars, restaurants and shops that will compete directly with Westgate and the surrounding businesses. Both sites will end up being approximately the same size at build-out.
People have completely jaded themselves of that fact.
And Glendale was completely ignorant when they gave into supporting the project for $26M in payments over the next 10 years (and HALF that amount the next 10 years) ONLY if there’s an operating casino on the site.
Without a casino, the only thing that makes sense would be to open shops and restaurants to compete with Westgate/Tanger.The good thing here would be spillover to Westgate/Tanger and other area shopping since the casino would no longer be what is holding people there.
A resort would be a stretch, unless they are going to try and compete for convention business and battle it out with The Renaissance and The Wigwam. Even that would be a challenge since Scottsdale, Phoenix and Desert Ridge already are in the lead, with the East Valley building a big one in Mesa.
So I guess the TO are in the odd position of, “What if we build it, and no one comes?” Or more importantly, “What if we build it and can’t open it?”
It will open. MAy be delayed by court action but it will open. I believe many years ago the Ft McDowell opened w/o the state approval, State cant stop it. As for what it will do, it will take business away from the Renaissance and the Wigwam.. it will offer all the same ammenities plus gambling. I heard the other day from a pretty good source the Wigwam is in serious trouble. A casino/resort would bury the Wigwam.
Casinos are built to be all inclusive, to keep people and their money in. The casino and its restauranats, clubs, stores and spas will put a severe hurt on Westgate and other area entertainment venues. I would bet the will offer shuttle service between there and events at Gila River. The COG will lose parking revenue and tax revenue from the places in Westgate.
A casino will be fun, but the West Valley doesnt have the entertainment and shopping options to cover the loses like the East Valley does. If they build it, people will come. People from the west valley will spend money at a casino and not Westgate. Any bets they have some really nice, cheap eating options?
According to the Gaming Compacts, they do need to be licensed. Not that the TO hasn’t gone against this compact already. I agree a Casino WILL hurt the area businesses, which is one of the points that opponents have been voicing since the get go. Would I be surprised if the casino opens, but the odds are not as strong as they once were in light of recent developments.
If push comes to shove, I am not sure those compacts would stand up in a court of law. I am in no way a fan of the casino, but its tough to stop anything on Indian land. Several years ago the state tried to stop the opening of the Ft McDowell Casino. That tribe opened it anyway. The state was powerless to stop the opening. I think the same will apply here. Just a guess
PJ,
Like you, I am on the fence about the casino. What I’m more concerned about is, as you pointed out, what goes on that land if the casino project is defeated. Ideally, the land would be incorporated into Glendale and we wouldn’t have to worry about what project goes in there as we would have a say. Since that is not the case, I find myself having preference towards a casino/resort rather than waiting for the unknown to pop-up. The unknown is a lot more frightening to imagine than an upscale casino/resort.
I agree Jason. The unknown is more concerning than a casino to me as well.
The unknown doesnt take tax revenue away from the city. The city stands to lose more jobs than they gain, more in tax revenue and closed businesses that the 1M a year they settled for
It is my understanding that there is no revenue ever coming out of that property as long as the TO’s own it. Is that correct Joyce?
PJ, That is correct.
There may not be any revenue come out of that property for the COG, but if the casino doesnt happen, its not taking revenue away from the city.
Jim, As reservation land, the city receives no property tax, etc.
Jim…
Joyce is correct. IIn addition to no property taxes (or business taxes…. The Tohono’s could put up another outlet mall and compete directly with Tanger. It potentially could take away sales from surrounding businesses. Which translates to less sales tax revenue for Glendale (and even Peoria to some degree).