Wednesday, August 16, 2006

As reported by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette: "The developer behind a
proposed casino in downtown Fort Smith says his next step is forging legal
agreements that will hold him and a partnering Indian tribe accountable for
their promises regarding the project. "Bennie Westphal of Fort Smith also
said he hopes that winning the endorsement of the Fort Smith Regional
Chamber of Commerce's directors board last week will give him a boost toward
getting other support. "He said that with support from the board, the
Central Business Improvement District and the Downtown Action Committee in
hand and a decision from the Fort Smith Convention Center Commission
pending, he'll next try for the endorsement of the Fort Smith Board of
Directors. ".Westphal and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of
Oklahoma want to build a $ 131 million casino with hotel on 10 acres on the
city's downtown riverfront. ".The agreements also would allow Westphal and
the tribe to formalize an offer to share a portion of casino revenues. They
have proposed that Fort Smith receive 7. 5 percent of net profits."