After a year delay, the Hualapai Tribe of Arizona plans to open its skywalk over the Grand Canyon in March 2004.

The ambitious project was announced in August 2005 and was to open a few months later. But it has been met with design and development changes and a dispute with contractors.

The tribe, however, is hopeful that the $30 million project will bring millions of tourists to the reservation, which sits on the West Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Tourists tend to visit the eastern side.

Developer David Jin, a Chinese immigrant, is financing the skywalk. He earned the tribe's trust after bringing bus tours to the reservation.

In exchange for funding, Jin will receive 25 percent of revenues and the tribe will receive 75 percent. Over time, the tribe will own 100 percent.

As part of the tourism venture, the tribe wants to pave a road leading to the Grand Canyon West. But a local ranch owner who also depends on visitors is refusing to grant access.

Get the Story:
Questions surround Grand Canyon Skywalk (The Arizona Republic 12/14)
Tribe, ranch owner amid road-paving battle (The Arizona Republic 12/14)
Entrepreneur lands in court (The Arizona Republic 12/14)
Hualapai tourism timeline (The Arizona Republic 12/14)
A deck that will have a grand view (AP 12/14)

Relevant Links:
Grand Canyon West - http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/indexe.html
Grand Canyon - http://www.nps.gov/grca

Related Stories:
Hualapai Tribe expects big boost in tourists (09/05)
Hualapai Tribe still working on Grand Canyon skywalk (8/1)
Hualapai Tribe sees interest in Grand Canyon skywalk (02/15)
Hualapai Tribe to challenge Grand Canyon plan (11/11)
Hualapai Tribe, National Park Service in dispute (10/13)
Hualapai Tribe to open Grand Canyon skywalk (08/23)
Hualapai Tribe plans skywalk over Grand Canyon (07/23)
Hualapai Tribe awarded $2M in federal grants (7/15)