Creek Nation announces casino development in Tulsa

The Muscogee Creek Nation formally announced something Tuesday, the News on 6 first reported Friday night. A multi-million-dollar riverfront development in south Tulsa. <br><br>News on 6 reporter Rick

Tuesday, July 15th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Muscogee Creek Nation formally announced something Tuesday, the News on 6 first reported Friday night. A multi-million-dollar riverfront development in south Tulsa.

News on 6 reporter Rick Wells says the Muscogee Creek Nation has a hundred acres of land along the east bank of the Arkansas River and they have big plans for it. The gaming operation has been expanding and it's about to double in size. That would make it the largest in the state. Add to that multilevel parking a hotel and convention center, retail space and a river walk and you have the general idea of what they have planned.

Chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation, R Perry Beaver, "What we want to do also is make it a true entertainment center. A destination point for families."

The first phase would be a $75-million project and would include the casino, parking hotel and convention center. They'd like to begin construction around the first of the year, with the facility opening a year later.

Right now they employ about 300 people, initially they anticipate doubling that. What excites some people is this is the first real commercial riverfront development in the Tulsa area.