Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation
The city council in Glendale, Arizona, voted 4-3 on Tuesday night to approve an off-reservation casino deal with the Tohono O'odham Nation. The vote came after a meeting that lasted 4 1/2 hours, The Arizona Republic reported. The $500 million West Valley Resort has been hugely controversial and up until a few months ago, the city's official stance was one of opposition. “I’m pleased. You never take anything for granted," Tohono O'odham Chairman Ned Norris Jr told The Glendale News-Sun after the vote. The deal calls for the tribe to pay the city about $26 million over 20 years for infrastructure, services and other impacts. The first payment of $500,000 will come within 10 days of the signing of the agreement. In exchange, the city agrees to drop all litigation against the project and to urge others to do the same. The city also will lobby against, and encourage others to lobby against, S.2670, H.R.1410 and any other legislation that restricts or curtails the tribe's gaming rights. Any disputes that arise can be resolved through mediation and arbitration. The tribe also agreed to a waiver of sovereign immunity "in any court having jurisdiction" in the event the city wants to bring a lawsuit. The tribe has selected architects for the project but hasn't announced a start date for construction. Get the Story:
Glendale council OKs casino deal with tribe (The Arizona Republic 8/13)
Divided Glendale council gives final clearance to casino plan (The Glendale Daily News-Sun 8/13)
Glendale City Council votes 4-3 to support casino proposal (KPHO 8/13)
Glendale Council OKs Agreement to Build Tohono O'odham Casino (Arizona Public Media 8/13)
Glendale Approves Casino Agreement, Will Make Millions From Tribe (KJZZ 8/13)
Divided Glendale council approves deal for casino (AP 8/13)
$400M resort and casino coming to West Valley: Tohono O'Odham, City of Glendale finalize agreement (ABC News 8/12) Related Stories:
Editorial: Tohono O'odham Nation casino is looking more likely (8/11)
Tohono O'odham Nation reaches deal for off-reservation casino (8/7)
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