Nisqually tribe adds to landholdings

30-acre purchase could be used for convention center

By Rolf Boone | The Olympian • Published May 14, 2008

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LACEY – The Nisqually tribe expanded its landholdings in Hawks Prairie to 40 acres, which could be used for a convention center, a family entertainment business or more retail stores.

The tribe paid $17.2 million Tuesday for 30 acres of commercial property in Hawks Prairie. The property sellers are Jenny Bong of Southern California and a Pierce County partnership, the KIRI Group.

Last month, the tribe purchased 9.6 acres of adjacent property for $6.8 million from the Ron Sloy family of Lake Oswego, Ore., and Jerome Kersey, a former professional basketball player.

The commercially zoned property is north of Interstate 5 and west of Marvin Road.

The tribe says it has no plans to develop a casino on the property but acknowledged Tuesday that after spending more than $20 million to buy the land, it likely will develop the property rather than sell it, Chairwoman Cynthia Iyall said.

Development ideas for the property include a convention center or "some type of meeting area," family entertainment or retail stores, she said.

"We would like to become more of a player economically and blend in more with the surrounding communities," Iyall said.

The tribe's economic development has been tied to the reservation, she said, most notably at Red Wind Casino, about 15 miles east of Olympia.

"This is a way to springboard into new economic ventures," Iyall said about the land acquisitions.

She declined to say how the tribe financed the purchases, but said it did not come from gaming revenue.

The tribe expects to announce a development partner this summer or fall, and a proposed development could take up to two years to complete, she said.

Lacey officials were not surprised by Tuesday's announcement, community development director Jerry Litt said.

After the tribe announced its 9.6 acre purchase in April, the city was informed that the tribe would be buying more land, Litt said.

He said the city is treating the tribe like any other Lacey property owner.

"Until we get a (development) proposal, we can't assess if it fully meets the vision of the city," Litt said.

Possible uses

Retail stores, a convention center or a family entertainment business are allowed uses in the area, he said.

Priscilla Terry of Prime Locations, a Lacey commercial real estate company that has property listings in Hawks Prairie, said her clients would welcome the tribe's development plans.

Tribal investments are significant for South Sound, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Schaffert said.

"It's an important trend that the tribes are looking to diversify their economies and a valuable trend for the Thurston County community," he said.

Last year, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation and Great Wolf Resorts of Wisconsin jointly developed the $100 million Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound.

Iyall acknowledged that the Chehalis tribe has been a model for the Nisqually tribe.

"We want to build within our own community and grow with the city of Lacey," she said.

Rolf Boone is a business reporter for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.