Spokane Tribe plans fall groundbreaking, 2017 opening of Airway Heights project
This is the architect's rendering of the interior of the Spokane Tribe's casino planned for Airway Heights.
Five weeks after gaining approval from the state, and 13 months removed from an OK by the federal government, the Spokane Tribe of Indians officially unveiled plans for their casino and resort project in Airway Heights last week.
In a July 14 news conference held at Spokane's Red Lion Inn at the Park, the tribe showed off preliminary designs from the project that has become known by its acronym name, STEP, or Spokane Tribe Economic Project.
A full 10 years in the planning stage, the most recent hurdle was passed with the approval of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on June 8. Inslee agreed with the July 2015 ruling from the U.S. Department of Interior that gave federal approval to the project.
Planned for 145 acres of land bordered by U.S. Highway 2 on the south and Craig Road to the east, STEP will be constructed in phases with groundbreaking for the first portion expected this fall. Tribal chair Carol Evans said completion is anticipated sometime in 2017.
Evans touched on the significance of last Thursday's event, noting this was the same location that the tribe first announced their intention to engage in the project a decade ago.
"This is where we made our original announcement to build the casino and here we are celebrating the success of getting that approval," Evans said.
The tribe's vice-chair, David Brown Eagle, tied the casino project to tribal history and the way his ancestors used to hunt, fish and gather resources crucial to their survival.
"You do what you need to do for your people so they will have a future," he said. The STEP project represented that new future, he added.
Attendees saw the architect's renderings of the interior and exterior of the casino, as well as the planned restaurant and outside venue that is all part of Phase 1A.
The Tribe has engaged Warner Hospitality to oversee the development, design, construction and ultimately the management of the Airway Heights project. One of the company's most notable properties is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
Bill Warner of Warner Hospitality has been working with the tribe for six years and was excited his work will finally move beyond the wishing and hoping stage.
"Thankfully we're sitting here today looking forward to a time when we can put a shovel in the ground, get a project built and open to the community to enjoy," Warner said.
As his company worked with the tribe in the initial stages, they were tasked with creating a project the community could really embrace, he said.
"This project is going to evolve over time starting with Phase 1 which is going to have 450 slot machines and 12 table games," Warner said.
The initial phase also calls for building two restaurants, one Warner described as "fast/casual" to get a quick bite to eat and either gamble or relax. A second 190-seat eatery will have something for everyone with a number of different price points and range from fine dining to value-oriented.
"As we look at Phase 1 we feel like that is a nice, well-rounded start to what is ultimately going to be a great resort, hotel and casino with entertainment venues," Warner said.
According to the Warner website, the STEP project will ultimately include a 100,000-square-foot casino space featuring 2,500 slots, 50 table games and 10 poker tables. A 300-room hotel, a convention/special events center, four restaurants, multiple bars, a food court, and substantial retail offerings would be included in a full build out valued at $400 million, all with private sector financing.
Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.
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