Tribe unveils CL casino design
By RAELYNN RICARTE
April 7, 2004
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs publicly unveiled their conceptual designs Monday for a casino — should one be built there — in Cascade Locks.
The 500,000 square foot building would cover 25 acres in the existing industrial park just east of town.
It has been deliberately engineered to blend with the surrounding viewscape, according to tribal officials.
The plan was accomplished by re-creating the long and low look of a tribal fishing village; the facade of the structure is broken up with varied angles and concave entrances that feature basalt rock, natural wood and waterfalls. The scenic theme includes a main corridor that resembles a “winding river” and extends to the end of the western parking lot.
The walkway is interspersed with cascading fountains next to rock columns depicting ancient petroglyphs and wooden walls that are interwoven in historic basket designs. The tribes wanted the gaming facility to serve not only as a recreational center but a “cultural museum” to educate visitors.
“These concepts are part of an ongoing conversation reflective of the history and love of the lands along the Columbia River which have been a central part of our tribal heritage for over 10,000 years,” said Garland Brunoe, chair of the tribal council.
The first look at the potential $225-$300 million project was given on April 5 to the Cascade Locks City Council and the Hood River County Board of Commissioners.
However, tribal leaders were quick to point out that the realization of the plans was dependent upon the approval of Gov. Ted Kulongoski. They also reminded local officials that they were prepared to move ahead with schematics that had already been drawn for the 40-acre trust parcel just east of Hood River if necessary.
The tribe has formally requested that negotiations begin with Oregon’s lead official to site a gaming center somewhere in the Gorge. Kulongoski has the final say on whether a casino can be constructed on off-reservation lands within the state.
“We’re moving forward on all fronts because the tribe has such a desperate need — now it depends on the governor,” Brunoe said.
He was joined in a public discussion of the issue by Dennis Karnopp, tribal attorney, Greg Leo, public and government affairs counsel, and Jeff Ford, chief executive officer for Kah-Nee-Ta, the tribe’s current resort and casino.
Prior to showing the plans, Brunoe outlined the economic “urgency” that was forcing the tribe to push Kulongoski for a decision. He said more than 50 percent of the 4,309 tribal members were unemployed due to a decline in timber harvest and market rates for hydroelectric power — the two main tribal industries.
He said the current financial crisis was negatively affecting the provision of health care, education, housing and other essential services. Brunoe said five years ago the tribal budget was $38 million and it was now standing at $25 million, with another $5 million reduction expected within the next five years. He believed that siting the casino within the city limits of Cascade Locks was the best choice because that community was also ailing economically.
“Elected officials, both here and at Warm Springs, are working on a parallel track to find solutions to the economic problems which confront both communities,” said Brunoe. “It is this one vision, shared by two communities, which brings us here today.”
He said more than 400 new construction jobs would be created, followed by 1,000 full-time positions that would pay an average yearly salary of $31,500. Brunoe anticipated that only about 10 percent of the jobs would be filled by tribal members since the proceeds from the casino would be used to create other employment opportunities on the reservation.
The draft plans call for 3,900 parking spaces spread over 39 acres to accommodate about three million annual visitors. A new interchange from Interstate 84 is planned at the eastern end of Cascade Locks, and would also allow some traffic to feed back into the town.
Two hundred and fifty overnight lodging units are envisioned, along with a 25,000 square foot conference center — although construction may be done in several phases as revenue allows. The casino would have 90,000 square feet of gaming space and also house a brew pub, jazz and blues club, delicatessen, 400-seat buffet, upscale restaurant, coffee shop, arcade, day care, leased retail outlets, and more. Construction could be completed by late 2006 and open by June of 2007 if Kulongoski gives the go-ahead.
“This facility is going to accentuate and embrace the scenic qualities of the Gorge. It is going to be unparalleled and untouched in the gaming industry by anyone’s standards,” Ford said.
Karnopp said the governor is bound by federal law to negotiate in “good faith” for a casino in the Gorge. He contends there are many legal exceptions that Kulongoski could use to allow siting of the facility in an “underutilized industrial park.
“This compromise is sought after long and sincere consultation with local officials here in Hood River County to find a mutually beneficial solution which reflects the will of Cascade Locks and the Warm Springs communities,” said Karnopp.