Miwok, Maidu Casino Project Moving Ahead
By Jim Janssen, Roseville Press-Tribune
Local business leaders are finding comfort in the willingness of a Native American tribe to work with local jurisdictions in building a multimillion-dollar gaming casino in western Placer County.
The United Auburn Indian Community is making a pitch to build a 200,000-square-foot facility on a 56-acre site in the Sunset Industrial Park at Industrial Boulevard and Athens Avenue, north of Roseville and Rocklin.
"It looks like they took the time in selecting the property most appropriate for a casino," said Stephen Campbell, a Realtor who works in Rocklin and Lincoln. "It appears they are making an effort to work with all three cities and county to make sure they are a good neighbor."
The United Auburn Indian Community is composed of about 160 Maidu and Miwok Indians.
Howard Dickstein, an attorney representing the group, said the tribe has an option to buy the land for the casino and also is interested in 1,100 acres for a 90-lot housing development in Camp Far West near Sheridan. He said the combined price for both properties would be several million dollars.
Target date for completing the casino is 18 months to two years. It would employ 700 to 1,200 people. The Camp Far West project would follow about two years later.
Under federal law, tribes can buy land, have it placed under federal jurisdiction and then build, the housing or gaming facilities without being required to adhere to local or state regulations.
Dickstein said the tribe is willing to mitigate possible effects on neighboring cities or the county, such as paying for the hiring of more sheriff’s deputies and the buying of patrol cars. Other mitigations include the tribe paying for improvements to Fiddyment Road, the widening of Highway 65 and he upgrading of railroad crossings.
"The way they are approaching it is very good," said Bill Kenney, president of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce. "Essentially they are following the rules and regulations any other business would have to follow, but on a voluntary basis. It shows they are dedicated to doing it the right way."
Kenney said most people attending a presentation before the Rocklin chamber had the same comment.
"They felt the tribe is approaching a controversial topic the best way they can," Kenney said.
Fred Arcuri, a member of the Roseville Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Roseville class, listened to a presentation given to the class. Arcuri said his only concern is with traffic and the casino’s location next to a railroad crossing.
"If they are going to abide by the rules and regulations like any other business, I don’t have any problem, but I question the location. It doesn’t seam like the best location, but if they are going to address traffic I don’t have any problem with it."
Cindy Schaer, Rocklin economic development director, said it is comforting for local governments to know that the tribe wants to work with local governments," she said. "They are going over and above what they have to do by going through the environmental process. Rocklin has its concerns, mainly related to traffic, but they are saying they are willing to identify and mitigate traffic concerns."
Dickstein told the Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council in April even though by law the tribe is not bound by state and local building laws and codes, it has made a commitment to abide by county and city laws and regulations. He said the tribe is in the process of drafting a memorandum of understanding with the county and the cities surrounding its projects. The agreement calls for no loss of tax revenue for the surrounding entities, preservation of wetlands and compliance with all ordinances.
"They say they are going to abide by the same rules as the city. If this is true then we should have good neighbors," said Sylvia Pekkala, president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. "If they do as they please, I can see a potential conflict. Only the future will tell for sure."
Dickstein said the tribe is applying to have the U.S. government take the lands in trust. He said environmental assessments are currently being completed on the property. He said the tribe is receiving financial backing from the Rumsey Rancheria in Yolo County, which operates the Cache Creek gaming facility.
He said the tribe is looking at the area as an entertainment corridor with at least two restaurants. All entertainment would be conducted indoors. He said the facility would be tasteful, posh, have minimal signage, and not be impersonal or imposing.
Proceeds from the gaming would be used for tribal schooling, healthcare, government tribes, health education and housing.
Copyright © 1999, Roseville Press-Tribune
