Casino news source: The Cap Cod Times - http://www.capecodonline.com
Tribe buys off-Cape land fit for casino
By STEPHANIE VOSK
STAFF WRITER
April 28, 2007 6:00 AM
MIDDLEBORO — As Town Manager John Healey called for the next bid, the Detroit man in the black leather jacket nonchalantly raised his hand.
After 14 rounds of back-and-forth bidding, his competitor shook his head in defeat. The war was over, and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe had just indirectly acquired its first piece of off-Cape property.
At a public auction yesterday, Jason Wilson, general counsel for Detroit casino developer Herb Strather, the tribe's financial backer, pledged to pay the town of Middleboro $1,765,000 for 125 acres of undeveloped land.
The 1,461-member tribe has made its intention to build a casino clear once it is officially recognized by the federal government on May 23.
Even with Middleboro having previously emerged as one of the top contenders for a casino site, tribal council spokesman Scott Ferson would not say exactly what the land will be used for, though its size and location do meet the tribe's initial criteria for a "resort casino."
The two contiguous plots of land are located on Precinct Street off Route 44, which connects to Route 495.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, land must be deemed part of a tribe's reservation and put into a trust with the federal government in order for a casino to be built.
The tribe must demonstrate cultural and historic ties to the site in order for this to happen, and Middleboro also meets this mandate for the Wampanoag tribe.
At a meeting with tribe members in March, Middleboro town officials expressed their interest in working with the tribe if it chooses to bring the proposed casino to their town.
While land in federal trust would be tax free, tribes have worked out payment agreements in lieu of taxes with towns in similar situations.
The sale price on the land, owned by Sadie and Daniel Striar and Barbara Disraelly until the town foreclosed on it in 1997, according to town records, will also provide a nice financial cushion for Middleboro at the end of the fiscal year, the town manager said.
But the tribe could choose to buy several pieces of land before it decides on a site. Officials have said they plan to announce a decision on the casino on or before the May 23 date.
"I think they're still looking in a number of different areas and we'll have to wait and see what does transpire in the long term," Healey said.
The city of New Bedford has also expressed interest in hosting a tribe-owned casino. While no formal meetings have taken place between city officials and tribe members, David Alves, head of the city's special committee on gaming, said he's working on setting something up.
While he said he was disappointed to hear about the Middleboro land purchase yesterday, he believes New Bedford offers better infrastructure for a casino. He wants the complex in New Bedford to provide economic opportunities to a city with a 9 percent unemployment rate, he said.
"As long as there's a ray of light at the end of the tunnel, then it's my goal to pursue on behalf of the residents here those opportunities," Alves said yesterday.
Wilson will be given 45 days to pay the balance on the property in full. The land could then be gifted to the tribe in exchange for development rights.
Stephanie Vosk can be reached at svosk@capecodonline.com.
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