Spokane Tribe, Hard Rock team up on planned casino

The Spokane Tribe’s casino and hotel proposed for the West Plains would carry the Hard Rock brand if it receives the final go-ahead, the tribe announced Monday.

Rudy Peone, tribal chairman, said the partnership would bring energy and excitement to the West Plains.

“We believe the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino would offer a unique experience, providing entertainment, dining and retail for local residents and tourists,” he said in announcing the signing of a letter of intent between the tribe and the company.

The Hard Rock chain is known for displaying rock ’n’ roll memorabilia at its facilities around the world.

The Spokane Tribe signed the agreement with Las Vegas-based HRHH IP LLC, which has rights to the Hard Rock Hotel and Hard Rock Casino brands in areas of the western United States and Illinois, according to the tribe. Its flagship casino is in Las Vegas.

The proposed casino, hotel and retail development would be just west of Airway Heights and across Highway 2 from Fairchild Air Force Base. The U.S. Department of Interior recently gave its approval for the project, with Assistant Interior Secretary Kevin Washburn ruling it was “in the best interest of the tribe and not detrimental to the surrounding community.”

Washburn asked Gov. Jay Inslee to concur, which would give the project its final green light, but Inslee has as long as 18 months to study the project before making a decision.

Some Spokane business interests, led by Greater Spokane Incorporated, are urging the governor to reject the project for fear it would make Fairchild more susceptible to a future base closing. Supporters and opponents have their own studies that argue whether that’s realistic.

Spokane County commissioners originally agreed to be neutral on the project but later switched positions and voted to oppose it. The Spokane City Council originally voted to oppose the project but later switched to neutral. Airway Heights supports the project.