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NOVEMBER 21, 2000

The New Mexico Pueblo of Santa Clara is moving foward with its plans to build a casino in Española, apparently ending disagreements with city officials.

The city is going to issue the Pueblo a building permit and will oversee work to ensure it meets city code standards. The city had originally opposed the development altogether, saying the land was still owned by the city.

The Pueblo, meanwhile, contends the land falls within its original Spanish land grant and therefore is considered Indian Country. The land is located on the main highway in Española, which houses a casino at San Juan Pueblo a few miles north and another at Pojoaque Pueblo several miles south.

Construction will begin this winter and the 46,000-square-foot casino. It includes a bowling center, which has already begun construction.

The Pueblo already has a gaming compact with the state, but doesn't currently operate a casino. The rest of the state's gaming tribes are involved in a lawsuit with the state over the non-payment of revenue sharing fees.

Get the Story:
Española Council, Tribe Cooperating (The Albuquerque Journal 11/21)
Pueblo agrees to casino-project review (The Santa Fe New Mexican 11/21)

Related Stories:
City waiting on Pueblo casino (Money Matters 11/03)
Pueblo proposes off-reservation casino (Money Matters 10/20)