Seminole Tribe holding back on expansion plans at one casino

Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Filed Under: Federal Register | Land Acquisitions
More on: bia, eis, florida, hotels, land-into-trust, seminole

The Seminole Tribe of Florida isn't saying whether it will go through with plans to expand one of its casinos.

The tribe filed a land-into-trust application for a 45-acre site next to the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. Plans call for 47,000 square-feet of retail space, 54,000 square-feet of dining space, a 2,500 seat showroom, and a 1,000-room hotel.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs just released a draft environmental impact statement for the application. But the tribe won't move forward with the project for at least two more years, a spokesperson said.

"There are a number of factors that will be involved in any decision to move ahead on some or all of the master plan," spokesperson Gary Bitner told The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

One issue is the tribe's Class III gaming compact, which expires in 2015. Lawmakers have been considering plans to authorize non-Indian casinos.

Get the Story:
Seminole Tribe plans 1,000-room hotel in Coconut Creek (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 9/5)

Federal Register Notice:
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Seminole Tribe of Florida Fee-to-Trust, City of Coconut Creek, Broward County, FL (August 31, 2012)