Garden Grove
Casino Idea Revisted
As reported by the L.A. Times:
"Las Vegas-style gambling in the heart of Orange
County, a longshot possibility previously dismissed
as too controversial, is up for reconsideration
in Garden Grove as a new source of city revenue.
"When it meets Tuesday night, a divided City
Council will once again discuss allowing a tribal-owned
casino down the street from Disneyland.
"Among the five council members, two say they
favor exploring the idea, and two oppose it. The
swing vote rests with the mayor, whose committee
to study revenue options recommended an Indian casino.
He said he was willing to at least discuss it.
"…The casino proposal gained traction
last year, when four council members met with Las
Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn and city officials
spoke with leaders of the Mesa Grande band of Mission
Indians about building a casino on Harbor Boulevard.
The plan succumbed to community concerns that it
would harm the city's image.
"But with the city's financial slump worsening,
casino proponents say revenue from a 1,000-room
resort and Indian casino on Harbor Boulevard could
help solve a looming $11-million deficit. The casino
concept was further embraced by a committee of business
and civic leaders who recently concluded that it
offered the city a significant long-term revenue
stream and job opportunities at little or no cost.
City officials estimate a resort casino could bring
the city up to $20 million a year…"
|
