by Steve Schmidt - SignOn San Diego
The Viejas Indian band, operator of one of the region’s gaming powerhouses, is laying down a bet on the hotel business as well.Tribal leaders and Viejas Casino executives are set today to formally announce plans for a $36 million, 150-room hotel that could rise as many as seven stories on the reservation east of Alpine.
Tribal Chairman Anthony Pico said the project will help Viejas keep pace with the Indian gaming industry, which views overnight lodgings as a way to lure — and keep — high-rollers and other casino customers.
“It’s a matter of staying competitive and continues to add to our gaming amenities,” he said.
He said a groundbreaking is expected to be held early next year, with completion in early 2013. The project is expected to employ more than 400 construction workers.
It will join several other Indian gaming hotels in the region, including the high-end accommodations at the Barona and Valley View casinos.
David Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, called the recent construction of hotels at many Indian gaming sites a business no-brainer.
“It makes sense. It’s smart,” he said. “It lets you have overnight guests that will gamble more than daytripping guests.”
Concept drawings prepared for today’s announcement show a boxy, seven-story structure that would rise where a white bingo tent currently stands, on the east side of the mammoth casino.
Tribal spokesman Robert Scheid emphasized that the exact height and footprint of the 95,000-square-foot hotel are still to be determined.
It will include a pool, fitness room, business center and other amenities. Each room is expected to be more than 400 square feet.
Pico said the hotel is expected to be managed by the tribe, rather than by an outside franchise. Many of the rooms would likely be offered to high-rollers at no charge, a common practice at many casino hotels, he noted.
The project’s $36 million budget will also pay for the expansion of the seating area in the casino buffet. Bingo games will be moved into the casino.
County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, whose district includes the Alpine area, has been notified of the project, but is awaiting further details.
The supervisor said she is hopeful that Viejas will work with the community and county officials to address any concerns that may arise. In a prepared statement, Jacob noted that “the tribe and the county have very good government-to-government communications.”
County officials say Viejas is required to prepare an environmental study for the project. It will be reviewed by the federal government, with input from the county.
Greg Fox, chairman of the Alpine Planning Group, expects some locals will complain about the hotel’s traffic impacts in his semi-rural community.
But on balance, he sees more of an upside. He expects the project to boost business in town and noted it would provide badly-needed jobs for those in the depressed construction industry.
“I think this is an incredible opportunity for the people of East County to potentially find work,” he said.
In a prepared statement, Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, called the project “a wonderful addition to the local tourism offerings.
“And the hotel’s location, right along Interstate 8, is especially convenient for visitors coming from Arizona and points east.”
Swinerton Builders of San Diego will act as the general contractor.
Pico said it will be the largest construction project on the Viejas Indian Reservation in two decades. He said the construction jobs will go to workers in the region.
In 2007, the tribe announced plans for a 600-room hotel as part of a massive casino overhaul. But Pico said the poor economy forced the tribe to scale back those plans.
The tribe also operates a large outlet mall across the street from the casino.
Tribal and tourism officials planned to formally unveil the project at a 10 a.m. news conference today.
For more information on Viejas Outlet Center please contact :
Jeffrey T. Was
President
862-203-4352
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