Station, partner looking for backup Indian casino site

Monday, Aug. 18, 2003 | 11:17 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- After meeting stiff community resistance to its new casino and hotel plans, a tribe is considering backup sites near Rohnert Park, according to city officials.

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria had as its first choice a plot near environmentally sensitive wetlands on the shores of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma County.

Now the tribe of Coast Miwoks and Pomos and its partner, Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas, are looking for other places in which to build the proposed 200-room hotel and a casino with 1,900 slot machines.

Though tribal representatives haven't confirmed their interest in Rohnert Park, the city's mayor is enthusiastic about the possibility.

He feels the casino could bring cash to the city, which is going through a budget crunch. In turn, the city is willing to extend services like fire and police to the casino complex.

"It looks very promising for our site," Mayor Armando Flores said. "It could support our essential services and add revenue to the city coffers. They would be our neighbors and it would be mutually beneficial."

Some business owners are enthusiastic as well, but others are wondering how much the community will really profit.

"Some said if they come and leave on a bus, the casino feeds and entertains them, and has gift shops and lodging. They wonder what's in it for the community," said Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Carla Howell.

The Sonoma County plan, which called for a casino near the Infineon Raceway auto racing track, faced stiff opposition from local government officials and residents. Opponents said the casino would threaten the Bay as well as the rural charm of the region, which is known for its wineries.

Congresswomen Barbara Boxer and Lynn Woolsey, who represent the area, have also introduced a bill that, if passed, is expected to delay the casino.

Station Casinos executives said during a conference call last month that the tribe was considering alternative casino sites in the Bay Area. The tribe wants to work with local governments to ensure a smooth development process and expects to contribute funds for local services, they said. Still, the tribe is entitled to the Sonoma County land because members' ancestors had lived on the site, they said. If approved, the casino would be the closest to San Francisco.

The Graton tribe does not yet have a compact with the state to run a casino and would also require the federal government to place land for the project into trust for the tribe.

The project would mark the second tribal management contract for Station, which also runs the Thunder Valley casino near Sacramento for the United Auburn Indian Community.

Thunder Valley opened to long lines and has been blamed for hastening the decline of the Reno tourism market across the Nevada border.