Shawnee Tribe announces two firms will help develop proposed Oklahoma City casino
By Pamela Grady
OKCBusiness
Jan. 24, 2008
 
The Shawnee Tribe today announced that Navegante Group and Friedmutter Group Architecture & Interior Design Studios have joined the development team for the Tribe’s proposed $400 million destination entertainment resort in northeast Oklahoma City.
 
Tribal leaders said the Las Vegas-based firms -- both of whom have designed, built and operated some of the top resorts in the United States and around the world -- will bring the project a world-class vision that will help enhance the area as a major-league tourism and entertainment destination and provide major economic benefits to Oklahoma City.
 
“Navegante and Friedmutter Group are truly the platinum standard in the hospitality and entertainment industry - their portfolios include some of the most spectacular resort projects in the world,” said Greg Pitcher, chairman of Shawnee Development LLC, the Tribe’s economic development arm. “It’s a tremendous coup, both for the Shawnee and for Oklahoma City, to have two such highly respected and successful firms helping us make this project a reality.”
 
Navegante and Friedmutter Group will assist the Shawnee project team with project development, design, tenant mix and land-use planning for the project, expected to include a 400-room hotel, at least five branded restaurants, a casino, spa facilities, a shopping promenade, a movie theater, a bowling center, a 2,400-seat performance hall and more.
 
Navegante and Friedmutter Group have already begun preliminary work on the project, Pitcher said.
 
“There’s clearly a lot of excitement about Oklahoma City among the companies with whom we are talking, and we feel very good about the direction in which we’re moving,” Pitcher said. “The fact that some of the world’s best hospitality and entertainment companies have joined our team and support our project is further proof that we have a major-league proposal with a lot of positive potential.”