| In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors. |
Tribe looks for new casino site after first choice meets reistance
Saturday August 16, 2003ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (AP) After meeting stiff community resistance to their new casino and hotel plans, a tribe is considering alternative sites near Rohnert Park, according to city officials.
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria had as their first choice a plot near environmentally sensitive wetlands on the shores of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma County.
Now the tribe of Coast Miwoks and Pomos and their partner, Station Casinos from Las Vegas, is looking for other places in which to build the proposed 200-room hotel and a casino with 19-hundred slot machines.
Though casino and tribal representatives haven't confirmed their interest in Rohnert Park, the city's mayor is enthusiastic about the possibility.
He feels the casino could bring cash to the city, which is going through a budget crunch. In turn, the city is willing to extend services like fire and police to the casino complex.
``It looks very promising for our site,'' Mayor Armando Flores said. ``It could support our essential services and add revenue to the city coffers. They would be our neighbors and it would be mutually beneficial.''
Some business owners are enthusiastic as well, but others are wandering how much the community will really profit.
``Some said if they come and leave on a bus, the casino feeds and entertains them, and has gift shops and lodging. They wonder what's in it for the community,'' said Chamber of Commerce chief executive Carla Howell.
The tribe is expected to announce whether they will continue their plans to built the casino and resort as early as next week.
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