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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Plans Major Expansion

Deal would be contingent on legislative approval of gambling compact

Artist's rendering

The expansion would include 1,000 new rooms, 50,000 square feet of meeting space and a new music venue.

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

TAMPA - The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is flouting the nation's dire economic picture and projections with a plan for a hotel, conference, gaming and retail space expansion at its Orient Road site that could become a $1 billion project, a Seminole Tribe spokesman said this morning.

But the plan is contingent upon the Florida Legislature approving the tribe's gambling compact with the state that Gov. Charlie Crist agreed to in 2007, spokesman Gary Bitner said this morning. The project also is contingent on arranging financing, which Bitner said could be a challenge in the current economic environment.

The expansion project that could be launched before year's end would include a 20- to 22-story hotel tower with 1,000 new rooms, 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and new gaming space.

In addition the Hard Rock would gain a 1,500 to 2,000 seat music venue, a new swimming pool area and a new parking garage with 6,000 spaces.

The Tampa expansion project would be one of four at Seminole gambling sites in Florida, as agreed upon in the compact that the Legislature has not signed off on, despite the governor's approval.

All told, more than 12,000 construction and permanent jobs could be created, with the largest proportion in Tampa, if the plans go forward, Bitner said

The Seminole Tribe on Monday offered an instant $288 million and the promise of new jobs to lawmakers reviewing the tribe's gambling compact with the state.

Legislators have objected to the compact, saying it would set a bad precedent in the state. The compact would give the tribe exclusive rights to offer banked card games like blackjack.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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