Gun Lake Casino Construction Update

From the Grand Rapids Press, via Pechanga:

WAYLAND TOWNSHIP — The Gun Lake Casino is back on track through a $165 million loan arranged by Goldman Sachs and announced Tuesday.

Work on the 83,000-square-foot Allegan County gaming facility off U.S. 131 had slowed as the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi and its backers faltered in their ability to secure the loan in time to continue construction in time to meet their original plan to open this fall.

The five-year, 12 percent loan, which can be paid off after the third year, means the casino should be able to open sometime in early 2011, according to a statement released by the tribe. A specific opening date is expected to be announced soon.

“We’re going to shoot for January,” said John Shagonaby, chief executive of the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Authority. “It’s all an estimate at this point. Once we get a couple of months into construction, we’ll be able to have a better idea.”

The delay was the latest in a string of setbacks for the tribe, which spent more than 10 years dealing with regulatory and court challenges only to emerge into a dicey economy that resulted in plans for the casino being scaled back when they were announced last year.

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Opening Briefs in Wells Fargo v. LDF — Seventh Circuit

Here:

Wells Fargo Opening Brief

Natl Federation of Municipal Analysts Amicus Brief

LDF brief due on August 20th.

Lower court materials here and here and here.

Federal Court Orders Reconsideration of Discovery in Big Lagoon Rancheria Good Faith Negotiation Case

As a result of the Rincon decision….

Here: DCT Order Granting Reconsideration.

Original protective order here.

It’s Begun: Interior Sued for Recognizing Shinnecock Indian Nation

Newsday article here. The plaintiff is the Connecticut Coalition for Gaming Jobs, partially profiled here.

More details to follow….

Update on Carcieri Fix?

From How Appealing:

“Tribal-rights advocates seek ‘fix’ in Congress”: The Providence (R.I.) Journal today contains an article that begins, “Tribal-rights advocates came in force to Capitol Hill Tuesday to ask Congress to undo last year’s Supreme Court ruling that made it harder for Native Americans to set their own rules for the use of certain lands — including the Rhode Island parcel at issue in the decision.”

More at Indianz.

Split D.C. Circuit Reverses Mechoopda Fee to Trust Decision

Here.

Briefs are here.

H/T Indianz.

Ninth Circuit Rejects CEQA Claims of Anti-Tribal Casino Group

Here is the unpublished opinion in Rohnert Part Citizens to Enforce CEQA v. U.S. Dept. of Transportation.

The tribe at issue is the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. News coverage of this case here, via Pechanga.

California Valley Miwok Tribe v. Cal. Gaming Commission Petition for Review

Here: California Miwok Petition for Review

Lower court materials here.

Photos and Captions from Hearing in Muskegon on LRBOI Compact

From the Muskegon Chronicle.  Click through for the slideshow and captions.

Also, live blogging coverage of the event, also from the Chronicle.  Not sure why the updates end before the hearing did.

Video excerpt, starting with Rep. Johnson and Ogema Romenelli.

MI Reg Reform Committee Meeting Now in Muskegon

Supporters of the LRBOI Fruitport casino are testifying now in front of the MI Legislature’s Regulatory Reform Committee at Muskegon Community College.  From the site:

9:30 AM
Regulatory Reform
Muskegon Community College James L. Stevenson Center for Higher Education – Room 1100 221 South Quarterline Road Muskegon, MI 49442