Committee cautious but open-minded about bringing casino to Oklahoma Cityâ€™s Bricktown

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A building design committee says it's cautious but open-minded about a proposal to build a tribal casino in Oklahoma City's downtown entertainment district.<br/><br/>The Shawnee

Friday, July 15th 2005, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A building design committee says it's cautious but open-minded about a proposal to build a tribal casino in Oklahoma City's downtown entertainment district.

The Shawnee Tribe has held discussions with Oklahoma City about building a casino downtown or in Bricktown. Tribal officials haven't purchased any land in Bricktown and they say a casino is probably years down the road.

The Bricktown Urban Design Committee normally must sign off on a project before building permits are granted. Committee member John Yoeckel says a casino would be a dramatic shift in terms of how the group envisioned the entertainment and business district developing.

Mayor Mick Cornett says he opposes the idea but may not be able to stop it.

A law passed in 2000 that formed the tribe might require federal officials to put any land the tribe buys in Bricktown into trust.

Tribal officials said they intend to work with the city if they build a Bricktown casino.