Federal officials approve new casino in Sonoma

Northern California could host a new casino after Federal officials approved a plan to take into trust 62 acres of land in Sonoma County.

US.- Despite ferocious opposition, Northern California might be the home to a new casino after Federal officials approved a plan to take into trust 62 acres of land in Sonoma County for the 540-member Cloverdale Rancheria Of Pomo Indians.

The tribe is to use the site to build a 575,600 sq ft casino and resort complex, which includes a five-story and 244-room hotel alongside a convention and entertainment centre. The development will cost over US$320 million and it would be located south of the town of Cloverdale and adjacent to Highway 101.

Rob Muelrath from the Cloverdale Rancheria Of Pomo Indians said that the decision represented a “massive step forward” in the tribe’s plans for economic development whilst revealing that the final size of the new complex would be determined following “ongoing dialogue” between the band and local government.

The tribe’s initial application to the Department Of The Interior to have the land taken into trust listed a number of proposals for the site including one with a 150,000 sq ft casino, but no hotel or convention centre and a third offered only industrial, office and retail units.