By: Gloria Young, Journal Staff Writer
11:50 PM PDT
The United Auburn Indian Community has purchased a four-building
property on Indian Hill Road, which will house offices, meeting rooms
and a learning center for the tribe.
The buildings, each with 10,000-square-feet, are in the early stage
of construction, with move-in projected for June 2007, according to
Doug Elmets, media spokesman for the UAIC.
The location was a major selling point for the UAIC, which owns
Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln.
"The tribe wanted to have something close to the old rancheria,"
Elmets said this week. "This was ideally located and available for
purchase. It seemed like a smart real estate move for the tribe.
"One of the reasons we elected not to develop on the rancheria is
because the tribe didn't want a multi-use facility on a residential
facility."
The site just off Auburn-Folsom Road offers a panoramic view looking
toward Granite Bay and the Sacramento Valley. And the buildings will
make the most of it, according to Ron Lichau with Lichau &
Associates, architect for the project.
"With a trillion-dollar view, it was a very much a prime
consideration," Lichau said.
The plan calls for a two-story construction,with ground-level entry
into both levels, Lichau said.
The buildings will have decks and some roofs will be staggered.
Exteriors will be stucco with tile roofing and lots of windows, he
said.
The tribe purchased the site for $5 million from Auburn developer
Dick Azevedo, and has been able to make modifications and put members'
plans and thoughts into the design, Elmets said.
That includes specifications for the learning center, which will
offer classroom instruction for children as well as extended learning
for adults, including preparation for Graduate Record Examinations.
The tribe has put together a very good education program with
accredited teachers, designed to meet the needs of its members. And,
for some of the children, it is the primary education program, Elmets
said.
The learning center, which is located in Rocklin pending completion
of the Auburn facility, will accommodate about 50 students.
The buildings also will house the Community Giving Program, which
administers the tribe's philanthropic donations from Thunder Valley
Casino profits.
There will be a large meeting room for tribal gatherings as well as
several smaller meeting rooms. Plans also call for a workout room,
kitchen and dining area.
There will be about 50 employees, including those working in the
education center, Elmets said.
The buildings will be strictly for tribal use.
For Jessica Tavares, chairwoman of the UAIC, having the center
represents another milestone for her people.
"This fulfills one of the key objectives for our tribe to have a
place where our tribal members can further their education in a
learning center environment as well as have a central meeting place for
our members and appropriate tribal offices for our administrative
staff," Tavares said through Elmets as spokesman.
"The fact that these buildings are near our original reservation
provides an important connection to our roots in Auburn."
The UAIC also has purchased land near Sheridan, which will be
developed as a residential community for tribal members.
The Journal's Gloria Young can be reached at
gloriay@goldcountrymedia.com.
