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Margate's Deal with the Indians
• Impact fees in the works
Saturday,
March 7, 2009
Thousands of motorists pass down Margate roads everyday on the way to the Seminole Indian Casino in Coconut Creek. They play slots and lightning bingo, gorge on buffets and cocktail around the clock. Subsequently, Margate city officials say they want a piece of the action.
The details and amount are not yet clear. Margate has sent lobbyist, Jack Tobin to pow-wow with Indian Trust officials and City Manager, Frank Porcella isn’t saying much. This gist is; Margate wants impact fees, especially if the proposed Seminole hotel is approved for construction.
It’s unlikely that the Coconut Creek Seminoles will be allowed to build their new hotel on Indian Trust land. Despite summoning trust officials for assistance in expanding casino property in Coconut Creek, a recent 8-1 opinion by Supreme Court justices regarding a similar tribal request in Rhode Island makes it almost impossible. If for no other reason, tribes recognized in the U.S. after 1934 are ineligible to have new land holdings placed in trust.
Coconut Creek’s Indian Casino is a major attraction for Broward County residents and visitors. Their $10 Sunday brunch and daily breakfast for under $3 are drawing serious crowds. And few realize that the Casino’s outside tiki bar serves beer, wine, cocktails and frozen libations 24/7, 365 days a year, ideal for entertaining guests from out-of-town.
Indian officials say they’re going to build the hotel with or without trust approval. Outside Indian Trust, Seminoles have to pay taxes on the land and comply with all state and local laws – a veritable windfall for Coconut Creek. In which case, Margate wants their fair share of the prize, because for thousands of gaming enthusiasts, “you can’t get there from here without first crossing the Gateway.”
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