Tribe may build Kansas casino

WICHITA, Kan.— The Bureau of Indian Affairs is considering acquiring 11 acres in suburban Wichita from the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma, which could allow the tribe to build a casino there.

The federal agency made its plans known in a letter to the Sedgwick County commissioners.

The tribe has owned the land in Park City, south of the closed Wichita Greyhound Park, since 1992. If it's to be used for a tribal casino, the land must be placed in trust and transferred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Billy Friend, second chief of the Wyandotte Nation, said the tribe has no immediate plans to develop gambling in Park City. In the past, it has discussed developing the site as a truck stop.

Federal agency takes first step

The bureau's March 6 letter to Sedgwick County asks for an assessment of tax impact if the property is taken off the tax rolls. The county responded Wednesday with a breakdown of the property taxes and special assessments Park City levies for sewer improvements. The county provides fire and ambulance services for the property and it's zoned light industrial.

Friend said the tribe applied to the bureau for trust status a year or two ago, and the process can take years. Sending a letter to local authorities is the first step. Later in the process, the public would have a chance to comment.

If the Park City land is placed in a federal trust for the Wyandotte Nation, Friend said, the tribe will not have to pay state or county taxes.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next