Backup casino site optioned

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003 | 11:13 a.m.

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria has entered into an option to purchase 360 acres of land just west of Rohnert Park in California's Sonoma County to build a casino.

Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas has a contract to develop and manage a the casino for the tribe.

The search for an alternative site followed strident opposition from local government officials and residents in Sonoma County over the tribe's first proposed site, located near the Infineon Raceway motorsports track.

The alternative site is about one-half mile from the 101 freeway and about 43 miles from downtown San Francisco.

The mayor of Rohnert Park has expressed interest in hosting the casino.

"The tribe has been searching for a site in a progressive community that will embrace the economic benefits generated by the investment in this entertainment complex," Station Casinos Chief Legal Officer Scott Nielson said. "The tribe believes that developing the project in this location will be mutually beneficial to the tribe, the City of Rohnert Park and Sonoma County," he said.

The tribe and Station Casinos intend to meet with Sonoma County officials and Rohnert Park officials to make a presentation on the project. The tribe also aims to begin negotiations to create a "memorandum of understanding" that will outline revenue-sharing agreements as well as address the impact the casino will have on the community.

If a memorandum of understanding is reached between the parties and land is taken into trust by the federal government for the tribe to build the casino, the tribe has committed to transfer to Sonoma County their rights to the land near Infineon Raceway where the casino was originally proposed.