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The Scotts Valley Tribe of Pomo Indians from Lake County, financed by a Florida-based developer, Alan Ginsburg, has purchased 30 acres between Parr Blvd and Richmond Parkway, in an unincorporated area near North Richmond, California. The proposed 225,000 sq. ft., Las Vegas-style casino would have over 3,500 parking stalls and 2000 slot machines. Alcohol would be served in six bars and restaurants.
The tribe has petitioned the Bureau of Indian Affairs to designate this property as their reservation, based on their assertion that some of the tribe's members settled in Contra Costa County after their tribal status was terminated in the 1950's, thus resulting in Contra Costa County being designated as a "tribal service area."
This casino proposal is one of several on the table in the Bay Area now under active review by federal, state, and local governments. The Lytton Band of Pomo Indians has already secured a compact with the state for a 2,500 slot machine casino in San Pablo, California. Governor Schwarzenegger appears to oppose new casino projects within a 35-mile radius and County Supervisor John Gioia and other Supervisors have taken an "anti-urban gaming" position.
However, the Scotts Valley band says it does not need the Governor's or Contra Costa County's concurrence. The tirbe is seeking a "restored lands" exemption that allows them to bypass the governor's approval before having land placed in trust. The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians has promised significant monitary help to local community groups to help offest the potential social ills of casino development in Richmond.
The casino site is in the middle of a block on a two-lane secondary street, Parr Boulevard, with access to the four lane Richmond Parkway. There are multiple neighborhood access points and no direct freeway access. These city streets were not designed to accommodate the increase in traffic this scale and type of development would generate.
National studies show an increase in drunk driving, theft, child abuse, spousal abuse, loan sharking, embezzelment and divorce are statistically linked to the introduction of casinos in communities. It is estimated that for each new dollar a casino brings into a community, there is a cost of $1.90 in required social services and loss of property value.
If passed, the casino operators will pay neither property tax nor income tax. As a "sovereign nation" they would be exempt from state and local laws that normally govern land use, business practices, environmental protection, workplace safety, employee rights and consumer protection. There will be no way for local government or citizens to enforce promised community support, local hiring, or continuing crime mitigation.
A study conducted by EvansMcDonough September 30 through Ocrtober 3, 2004 of 400 randomly selected registered voters in the City of Richmond found that 64% of the voters are opposed to casino development. (This study specifically looked at the proposed casino development at Pointe Molate, Richmond.) Seven in ten voters think that Richmond is heading off track with casino development. |
