Tohono O'odham Nation reaches deal for off-reservation casino


Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation

After years of being on the opposite sides of the fence, the Tohono O'odham Nation and the city of Glendale, Arizona, are working together for an off-reservation casino.

The tribe and the city council announced a draft agreement for the proposed $500 million West Valley Resort. The deal calls on the tribe to pay the city about $26 million over 20 years for infrastructure, services and other impacts.

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 draft agreement will be discussed at a city council meeting Tuesday, August 12 at 6pm. The session will be broadcast on www.glendaleaz.com/Glendale11.

Get the Story:
Glendale’s take on casino-development pact: Average $1.3M a year (The Glendale Daily News-Sun 8/7)
Glendale announces casino agreement with tribe (The Arizona Republic 8/7)
Tribe to pay Glendale $25M for backing casino (Capitol Media Services 8/7)
Glendale, Tohono O'odham Agreement Released (KFYI 8/7)
Salt River Pima-Maricopa praises McCain/Flake bil (The Glendale Star 8/7)
Glendale to consider agreement between city, potential casino (KTAR 8/6)

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