Hollister
– Investors financing a casino resort in San Benito County
offered few details aside from announcing a site at a press
conference Monday, but they vowed public involvement in the
proposal’s planning and promoted it as a
”
gateway to the Monterey Peninsula.
”
Hollister – Investors financing a casino resort in San Benito County offered few details aside from announcing a site at a press conference Monday, but they vowed public involvement in the proposal’s planning and promoted it as a “gateway to the Monterey Peninsula.”
Investors from Game Won were joined by an attorney representing the five-member California Valley Miwok tribe proposing a casino resort, Phillip Thompson, at the press conference in Hollister announcing a planned site for the project. No Miwoks were present.
Throughout the press conference, they emphasized that many of investors are local businessman as opposed to being from an outside management company, such as those from Las Vegas or Reno.
Investors said they’ll follow a business model that breaks away from standard casino developments and emphasizes public involvement.
“We are all part of this community,” said Game Won president Kirk Rossman, a founder of Heritage Bank.
And although the gathering was intended for the media, some residents from a group opposing the casino showed up. So did one resident supporting it – Casa de Fruta partner Joe Zanger.
The investors, who say they approached the Miwok tribe about six months ago, announced their intention to buy a 209-acre parcel along Highway 25 in San Benito County.
They chose the location because they hope to promote the resort as an attraction along the corridor to the Monterey Bay. If they build it, a lot of promotion may not be necessary. The nearest casinos are more than 90-minute drives away, meaning a local casino would have a stronghold on the gaming market here.
“The largest complaint is people don’t come here. People leave,” said Game Won president Rossman.
The land, owned by investor Sal Rubino and Valley View Packing Co., sits adjacent to the Pajaro River basin. They’ve broached other ideas for the site, such as a hotel, restaurants and an entertainment venue, according to project manager Gary Ramos.
Aside from courting local support to eventually gain the governor’s approval, the tribe must convince the federal government to place the land in trust status.
The group also plans to hold public hearings on its potential impacts and perform environmental reviews – even though federally recognized tribes can largely ignore such normally required studies.
Investors said they don’t have an expected timeline for completion, though Thompson has said it could open within two years.
The group has said it expects the resort to compare to Yolo County’s casino, which is 66,000 square feet with 1,762 slots. Regarding possible compensation to local governments, such as funding to widen Highway 25, Ramos said, “We do believe we need to pay our fair share.”
Although investors didn’t provide details of the project’s scope – it’s too early in the process – they did indicate public feedback would play a role in its evolution. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office has already said the group doesn’t have a choice, because he won’t sign a gaming compact without support.
Other investors at the announcement included Chris Vanni, owner of Hillcrest Ministorage and Gilroy’s Pat Ansuini, Pepper Snyder, Joe Giacaloni and Greg O’Hara.
On the Miwok’s behalf, Thompson emphasized that the tribe also plans to work with local communities. Officials and opposing residents have expressed concern because the tribe’s federally recognized status could allow the group to forgo government regulations, such as zoning and environmental laws.
Thompson, however, said the tribe is a private group and that certain details will remain confidential.
For instance, neither he nor investors disclosed if Game Won has, or plans to, pay the tribe up front for the business relationship they’ve forged.
