02/01/2009

- Agua Caliente tribe: Land at I-10, Highway 111 not for third casino

by Debra Gruszecki - Palm Springs Desert Sun

Palm Springs - The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians' chief planner said the tribe's 200-acre parcel of land at Interstate 10 and Highway 111 is being eyed for industrial, retail, commercial and rail service development.

“There never has been — nor is there at this moment — a look at putting a (third) casino there,'' Tom Davis said.

Davis said the property is ideally suited for highway-related uses.

“It has high visibility,'' he said, adding that experts have advised that industrial, retail commercial or anything highway or rail related would be an ideal use for that land. “We are looking for a master developer to partner on the property,'' he said, but the project is not on a fast track.

No formal solicitation has gone out, Davis said, citing the economy and a narrow field of players.

The fate of the 200-acre parcel has come up because the Agua Caliente, though taking no position, has been drawn into dialogue with government leaders on the Riverside County's preferred jail site.

The top pick for the jail that would hold 7,200 beds and employ 1,500 people when complete is close to I-10, west of Highway 111 near Whitewater. The 140-acre site is east of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Reservation.

Tourism leaders have decried the site, saying its close proximity to I-10 will hurt impressionable tourists in a fragile economy. Desert Hot Springs City Manager Rick Daniels has suggested an alternate location near Indian Avenue and Highway 62.

Outside board rooms, the presumption has been the tribe's interest relates solely to future casino development.

Davis said that is not the case, at all.

“We are too busy with other matters with the new showroom, our existing property, the retail center at Bob Hope and Ramon and the downtown plan,'' he said.

Others have speculated the Agua Caliente's participation is tied to the prospect of a land swap to place the jail in a less visible area.

Davis said there is nothing in front of the Agua Caliente by way of a land swap — either formally or verbally expressed. “From a technical standpoint, and as chief land manager for the tribe, we would not recommend taking a position until we see a formal draft environmental document,'' he said.