Small Town News

Local attitudes vary on proposed second casino near Airway Heights

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In 1997 former Airway Heights City Councilman and mayoral candidate Vern Patten was a vocal opponent of the Kalispel Tribe's plan to build a casino in his city.

"Casinos are turning out to be lucrative only for their financiers and, in the meantime they suck a lot of money out of the local economy," he told news reporters at the time.

Now, ten years since Northern Quest opened its doors, Patten has changed his mind. "A lot of growth has happened since the casino came in, a lot of it because of the casino," he said. "Any commercial entity that is going to hire people will attract growth and growth is not a bad thing for a small community."

While he isn't necessarily in favor of gambling, Patten said the Kalispels have proven to be good neighbors, supporting local charities and providing more entertainment options. He therefore sees nothing wrong with allowing the Spokane Tribe to move forward with their own casino, believing it too could bring growth to the West Plains.

Many of his fellow residents agree that the Spokane Tribe Economic Project (STEP), a mixed-use development slated for 145 acres west of Airway Heights, would be a plus for the city.

"I'm all for it, anything that would bring more jobs to the area," said Laura Babb, who lives about three miles outside of the city. Her stance was shared by several others asked for their perspectives on STEP last week outside of Spoko Fuel and Yoke's Fresh Market in Airway Heights.

Two women who work at Sunset Elementary said they know many parents employed by Northern Quest and believe another casino would give them even more options for work. A service member said he'd welcome a Northern Quest competitor as another entertainment option for himself and others stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base.

A woman who's lived in the city for more than 50 years said she frequents Northern Quest a few times a month and feels it has been good for the community. "I want the Spokane casino, it would be good to have some competition," she said.

Deep Creek resident Brian Stevens said he went to Northern Quest 15 times last month. "I'm OK with another casino, maybe it would loosen up the slots a little," he said. "Northern Quest kind of has a monopoly on the west side here."

But other locals raised concerns about STEP, many saying it would create a bad environment for families and that the market won't support it.

"I don't know that this area can handle another casino. It would be fantastic if it could, but having two in this little local area? I don't know," Reardan resident Eric Nikkola said.

Many of those who live west of Airway Heights shared the same worry of Davenport resident Debbie Graedel, who gestured toward a stream of mid-day vehicles on Highway 2. "The traffic is bad on this road already," she said.

Jillian Cadwell, whose home is a couple miles east of Northern Quest, brought up drunk driving and other crime she believes casinos bring into a community. While the Kalispels have been generous in support of a volunteer organization she's involved in, she's "not a big fan of casinos" and would say no to seconds.

Organized opposition

Perhaps the most outspoken opponent of STEP is Irv Zakheim, owner of the Airway Heights-based Zak Designs and leader of "Citizens against Casino Expansion," a group of about 60 business owners and individuals.

Zakheim said he'd support the rest of STEP, which includes big box stores and smaller retail outlets, but the casino worries him because if federal and state governments approve the Spokanes' request it could open a "Pandora's box" of off-reservation casinos. He was originally against Northern Quest too, but failed to raise his voice.

"Everyone always waits on the sidelines until somebody else stands up. This time I looked around and said, 'if nobody does this it might slide by and people will just think everyone's for it,'" Zakheim said.

He dismissed the question of whether his fight against STEP has anything to do the Kalispel Tribe's sponsorship of his yearly Zak Open golf tournament, saying he doesn't make decisions based on donations to his charity. He did draw attention to the Kalispels' generosity in the local community, however, saying STEP threatens their ability to continue giving above a state mandated level.

Rather than build a few miles away from Northern Quest, Zakheim feels the Spokanes should focus on "creating their own destination" with existing casinos in Chewelah and north of Davenport, like the Coeur d' Alene Tribe has done in Worley, Idaho. He also said the Spokanes have a track record of mismanaging their casinos and could undermine the local market with their new venture.

"The other two Spokane casinos now in operation aren't appealing. They haven't proven they can do this, which is a concern," he said. "When you have a huge reservation, why risk putting the wellbeing of the Kalispels at risk?"

Zakheim said the Spokane Tribe's claims that the project will inject $400 million into the region and bring 3,800 jobs to town are unlikely at best and fictional at worst. He points to the Coeur d' Alene casino, which has been open for years but hasn't yet reached 2,000 employees, and Northern Quest, with its 1,700 employees.

"In a depressed economic times people want to believe this, it's easy to talk people into it, but where are these numbers coming from?" Zakheim said.

Spokanes respond

Spokane Tribe vice chairman Mike Spencer said the estimates are for a 15 to 20 year phased build out of the project and were prepared by a consultant company that has worked on several similar projects before. He said the details will be released in the coming months as part of an environmental impact statement (EIS).

"Look at the positive impact this can bring," Spencer said. "At a time when there's 34 and a half percent unemployment in Airway Heights and 52 percent unemployment in the Spokane Tribe, we need a shot in the arm."

Deven Johnson, president of the Northeast Washington Building and Construction Trades Council, said he knows from experience that a project of this magnitude will create about 400 initial construction jobs and is confident in the tribe's overall projections, saying that when a group of investors is willing to finance something they're going to do their due diligence.

"The local trade council, we're excited to be associated with this project because this is a private project - nobody's tax dollars are going to increase as a result of this," Johnson said. "It's a great all around economic development tool."

The EIS also addresses the project's impact on local infrastructure, Spencer said. The tribe has been meeting monthly with the Washington State Department of Transportation to discuss traffic mitigation on Highway 2, Craig Road and as far back as Hayford Road. Within the next month they'll begin modifications to the entrance of their Spoko Fuel station, which is adjacent to where STEP is planned, and could build a roundabout or series of traffic signals as more building takes place.

The city of Airway Heights has said providing necessary water and sewer services will be no problem thanks to the wastewater treatment plant scheduled to be complete this fall.

Spencer also dismissed concerns that STEP will encroach on Fairchild and jeopardize the base's mission. The project site is clear of any crash zones, although it does lie within a noise contour area. Spencer said as with other projects sited in flight paths, any buildings will be designed with additional sound boards and extra insulation.

Angela O'Connell, deputy chief of public affairs for Fairchild, said while the base command can make recommendations regarding things like building height allowances, land use and noise contours around the base, they typically don't get involved with nearby construction unless it directly impedes on their mission. "No statement has been issued by command because we really don't have a dog in this fight," she said. "At this point (STEP) does not impede with our operations."

As far as STEP setting a precedent for off-reservation gaming, Spencer said that has already been done by the U.S. Interior Department, which sets stringent guidelines and will review the tribe's application.

"This is a unique situation," Spencer said. "We're only asking for this to be built in our traditional territory that is well defined in treaties and other documents."

Ryan Lancaster am be reached at ryan@cheneyfreepress. com.



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