SHAWNEE TRIBE ADDS MAJOR-LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN FIRMS
TO OKLAHOMA CITY PROJECT TEAM
* * *
Navegante Group and Friedmutter Group to bring world-class expertise
to planned destination entertainment resort

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 24, 2008) – The Shawnee Tribe today announced that two widely respected leaders in the global hospitality and entertainment industries – 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.  “Most importantly, both share our view that to be good for the Shawnee, our project must be good for Oklahoma City.  They share our commitment to ensuring our project complements other area attractions and makes a real economic difference for the community.  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 was founded in 1995 by Larry J. Woolf, who as Chairman and CEO of MGM Grand Hotel & Casino developed and operated the first billion-dollar, mixed-use destination resort, including a hotel, theme park, arena, restaurants and casino, in the history of Las Vegas. 

Other Navegante projects include conceptualizing, designing, building and opening the Casino Fandango master planned development in Carson City, Nev., and working with the Canadian government to design, build and operate Casino Niagara in Ontario, which quickly became one of the most successful casino resorts in the world.  Navegante currently operates 10 resorts with more than 3,000 employees.   

Friedmutter Group has designed dozens of entertainment resorts throughout the world, including the award-winning Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas; the Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas; Harrah’s Atlantic City and the Green Valley Ranch luxury resort and spa in Las Vegas.  The firm has also designed projects in New Zealand, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Europe, Canada and the United Kingdom.

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. 

“While gaming is part of our plans, our project will be far more than a mere ‘casino,’” Pitcher said.  “Navegante and Friedmutter are bringing great ideas for a major-league resort with many entertainment options for visitors and residents alike.  We’re very clear in our goal that this project must be a benefit to the Oklahoma City community by providing a top-quality attraction, increasing revenue, increasing tourism and enhancing the local entertainment scene.  Navegante and Friedmutter’s vision and experience will help us achieve that goal.”

Navegante and Friedmutter Group have already begun preliminary work on the project, Pitcher said.  Additionally, the Tribe is in discussions with several highly respected brands as tenants.

“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.  We’re excited to move forward, and to work in concert with the community to build a resort that will make Oklahoma City proud.”

In November, the Shawnee Tribe arranged for the purchase of 104 acres west of Interstate 35 between Britton Road and Wilshire Boulevard and announced plans for a top-quality destination entertainment resort.  The Tribe filed an application to have the land put into federal trust on Jan. 22.  Initial analyses by Navegante and Applied Economics, a national economic consulting firm that works closely with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, show the resort would create nearly 1,900 permanent jobs, draw 2.4 million visitors annually and purchase millions of dollars in goods and services from local vendors every year.

About the Shawnee Tribe

The Shawnee Tribe originated in the Eastern Woodlands of North America.  Various factors forced the Shawnee westward in the 18th and 19th centuries, first to Ohio, then to Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.  In 1869, the Tribe signed a treaty granting it citizenship in the Cherokee Nation.  The Shawnee remained citizens of the Cherokee Nation until they regained separate federal recognition in 2000.