Pauma modifies resort hotel plans

SAN DIEGO, CA - The Pauma Indian band is responding to concerns voiced by local residents to the announced plan last August for a $300 million expansion project. The plan includes a 400-room resort with a 1,500-car parking structure, a spa, a pool, an events center, and 16 cabanas.

To alleviate concerns, the plans have been scaled back. “We did everything we could to address those concerns,” said Chris Devers, chairman of the tribe. “The changes deal with issues such as traffic, noise, water and visual impact.” He added that the faltering economy was not a factor in the changes.

The primary changes from the proposal unveiled in August:

• The hotel tower will be reduced from 23 stories to 19, but wider to keep the same number of rooms.
• The tribe will fund a traffic light and road widening at state Route 76 and Pauma Reservation Road, about a third of a mile south of the casino.
• The casino floor will be reduced by 10,000 square feet to 73,500.
• The outdoor amphitheater will be eliminated to comply with county's rules to prevent light pollution.
• The tribe will fund additional sheriff's deputies and expand the tribal fire department.
• New conservation methods will be added to use less water than the existing casino and fruit orchards.

The Pauma Indian Band is receiving help on this project from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut. That tribe owns Foxwoods, located halfway between Boston and New York. With 7,000 slot machines it is the largest casino in the world.

Return to California Casinos.