Artist's rendering of the First Light Resort and Casino in Taunton, Massachusetts. Image from Steelman Partners / Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
It's official -- the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts will start work on a long-awaited casino next week. The tribe confirmed April 5 as the groundbreaking for the First Light Resort and Casino in the city of Taunton. Chairman Cedric Cromwell will be joined by Mayor Thomas Hoye for the official start of the $1 billion project. Once the work begins, the tribe will be moving quickly to open the casino by the summer of 2017, far ahead of commercial projects in other regions of the state. The first phase will feature a gaming floor, restaurants, entertainment and retail offerings, with additional amenities, including a hotel and a water park, coming in the following year. A rival developer is hoping to stop the project with a lawsuit that questions whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs lawfully approved the tribe's land-into-trust application in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar. The tribe, however, is not a defendant and cannot be sued due to sovereign immunity. A decision in the lawsuit would likely not prevent work from continuing on the casino. Federal Register Notices:
Proclaiming Certain Lands as Reservation for the Mashpee Wampanoag (January 8, 2016)
Land Acquisitions; Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (September 25, 2015)
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Fee-to-Trust Transfer of Property and Subsequent Development of a Resort/Hotel and Ancillary Facilities in the City of Taunton, MA and Tribal Government Facilities in the Town of Mashpee, MA by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (September 5, 2014)
Indian Gaming (February 4, 2014) Relevant Documents:
Chairman Cedric Cromwell Announcement | Mashpee Wampanoag Trbe Press Release | Bureau of Indian Affairs Press Release | Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn Letter to Chairman Cedric Cromwell | Record of Decision DOI Solicitor Opinion:
M-37029: The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act (March 12, 2014)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Rival
casino opposed by Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe awaits fate (3/29) Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and rival spar over potential casino (3/25)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe responds to doubts on gaming plan (3/22)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe awaits word on rival casino project (3/18)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe not worried about casino site lawsuit (3/17)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe leaves casino operation to big firm (3/16)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe announces opening of casino in 2017 (3/15)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe foes confident as casino moves forward (3/9)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to break ground on long-awaited casino (3/8)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe presses state to reject rival casino (3/3)
Non-Indian billionaire slams Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino (3/2)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe ties casino suit to anti-Indian group (02/17)
Non-Indian firm looking to block Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino (02/08)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe confident of casino bid despite lawsuit (2/5)
Non-Indian casino in Massachusetts defends decline in revenues (01/26)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe raises flag as casino faces opposition (01/13)
Foes raise money to fight Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe casino (1/11)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe ready to build long-awaited casino (1/8)
BIA formally declares Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's reservation (1/7)
