By John Dobberstein, Editor
A group of residents is circulating a petition expressing opposition to the Muscogee Creek Nation’s proposed Coweta Casino Hotel just outside the city limits.
The city is expected to gain economic benefits from jobs and tourism spending from the $100 million project, and adjacent development in the city’s jurisdiction. But many residents are opposed to the development, saying it will bring more traffic, crime and noise to the area.
The group, “Residents Against Creek Nation Casino in Coweta,” says research and experience from other communities indicate that casinos can lead to serious issues, including increased home foreclosure rates, economic distress, domestic violence, elevated crime rates and homelessness, higher divorce rates and increased risk of suicide.
“The Muscogee Creek Nation is forcing plans for a casino in Coweta despite strong opposition from local residents,” the petition reads. “This development is being pursued with only Muscogee Creek Nation’s interests and profits in mind without adequate consideration for the potential adverse impacts it could have on our community.”
The group wants MCN to build the hotel and restaurant without the casino component in a compromise that would “allow for some economic benefits while avoiding the negative consequences associated with a casino.
“By opting for a hotel and restaurant without a casino, we can help protect our community from these serious issues while still benefiting from increased local amenities.”
The Coweta Casino Hotel – to be located at the southeast corner of East 131 Street and State Highway 51 – will be a 104,000-square-foot development on a 17-acre footprint, with 35,000 square feet of casino space and 750 gaming machines.
Although the development won’t reach the size and scope of the Muscogee Nation’s flagship River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises (MNGE) predicted the development will bring an uptick in regional tourism with an “upscale” 46-room hotel with a pool, fitness center, concierge services and meeting and event space to accommodate as many as 150 guests.
Plans also include a raised center casino bar, full-service 150-seat restaurant and private dining room, along with a 1,000-space, paved parking lot and porte-cochère entrance. The development is projected by MNGE to create 250 new jobs.
The project will break ground in September 2024 and open in Spring 2026, officials said.
Representatives of MNGE could not be immediately reached for comment late Thursday.
Rumors began to fly 13 month ago about a casino at that location when it was placed into a federal trust, but the information pointed to a travel plaza with a casino rather than a development of this scale.
When the possibility of community opposition about the hotel/casino project was broached last week with MNGE CEO Pat Crofts, he said his organization would strive to be a good neighbor and bring benefits to the city and surrounding area.
“The main message is this is going to be a major contributor to area and tourism and local economy,” he said. “We’re creating 250 new full-time jobs, and we will give preference in hiring to the local area. The $100 million in construction work should help local area. And it’s not being built amid a lot of residential areas. Right now it’s a hay field. It’s not really in anyone’s backyard.”
MCN Citizen says
The group maybe needs to ask what the MCN is doing for Coweta and Wagoner County in addition to the casino.
Proud muskoke citizen says
Nope not signing. The county definitely needs the income And the local jobs. Also the muskoke nation and other ndn tribes do way more for our state than most people realize.
Sherry says
Yes, they distroy lives much more than people realize.
Sherry says
Will bring more crime and addictions to the city of Coweta!