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Traficant Secures Land for Casino Project

Posted on October 30th, 2010

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A former congressman of the state Ohio took his crusade for a Native American casino in his state a step further. James A. Traficant Jr. made sure there would be no excuses for not having the casino by buying land for the planned casino himself. The feisty former politician has secured more land than needed for the proposed Indian casino complex he is championing. He wishes that by buying more land, the process for the proposed casino will be hastened. He also has another pending option to buy another parcel of land in the area of Lordstown-North Jackson, still for the purpose of the casino.

Traficant claimed yesterday that he was responsible for facilitating the purchase of a parcel of land spanning 72 acres located at the intersection of Salt Springs Road and Lyntz Road S.W. in Lordstown. The casino is planned to be built by a partnership between the Muncee-Delaware Nation and the Indigenous Tribal Affiliates of Native America tribe. The original owner of the land, Donald Allman, Jr., transferred the deed on Thursday in the office of the Recorder of Trumbull County. The purchase was made by the tribe for the price of $1. So far, the press has been unsuccessful in their attempts to reach Allman for comment.

Traficant divulged plans that the structure already on the land which measures 24,000 square feet could be retrofitted to become the first phase of the casino project. In a prepared statement, Traficant also said he believes that the building could bear further expansion of 10,000 square feet. However, there may be some legal concerns for the project—according to state and federal law, a casino is not allowed to be built in the counties of Mahoning or Trumbull. However, Traficant is headstrong, claiming that he has also secured an option to purchase more land measuring 182 acres, which is also in the area of a 20.6-acre parcel of land which has already been purchased by the Itana and Muncee-Delaware tribes last month, also for $1. Both land parcels are intended for the entire project, although the Lordstown property will initially house the casino because it already has an existing structure.

The land option was obtained by Traficant from Ohlim LP on Thursday. This option would increase the area of the planned complex to Bailey Road which is at the entrance of Interstate 76. Traficant has earlier claimed that the proposed complex would also host a hotel, convention center and even an amusement park. This area is next to Mahoning Avenue in North Jackson, and already has water and railroad access. In the last few weeks, Traficant has been lobbying to the Mahoning County Commissioners for this project, hoping for their support. So far, the commissioners have not given their support. On Thursday, he told the commissioners that a data center with a $350 million price tag would also be constructed in the area. But this is under the condition that the casino project would also go through.

Kevinn Davin, the owner of Data One, the alleged data center to be built in the area, has spoken in interviews that he would like to push though with the data center plan whether the casino project will go through or not. He noted that it would be something that should help the tribes. According to Traficant, the projects are expected to bring about 1,500 employment opportunities to the area’s residents. He ended an interview by saying, ”Now you may not like me, but this is one hell of a project.”

As for the reception of the people in the area of the brought land, it has been generally positive. The owner of a convenience store right across the street from the land said that a number of her customers would surely be supportive of the project. She said, “As a business owner obviously it’s a good thing to have a lot of traffic come through your town and new people.”

A few members of the Lordstown Council, only learned of the purchase very late. One councilwoman said that the project may not even be realized, as one Indian tribe also tried before to no avail.