California tribe plans $800 million casino resort

SAN DIEGO, California -- As reported by the San Diego Union Tribune: "The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians said yesterday that it plans to build an $800 million casino-hotel resort – the most expensive in the state – just east of its existing 2,500-slot casino and outlet mall.

"As envisioned, the new resort 35 miles from downtown San Diego would feature 2,500 slots, a 600-room hotel, a pool, a spa, shops, restaurants, a conference center, a multiplex movie theater, two parking structures and a new power plant.

"...The tribe's general council – made up of all its adult members – approved the plan Wednesday, Barrett said. The tribe hopes to complete construction in five years.

"It's a bold move for a tribe that has changed chairmen and seen the head of its business units leave in the past year.

"If built, the new resort would make Viejas the first tribe in California to have two side-by-side casinos and the second to have two casinos. Agua Caliente has casinos in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage..."