KELSEYVILLE — The Ferndale Resort and Marina property is currently in escrow after the seller recently accepted an offer made by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
The property, located in the Soda Bay area of Kelseyville, went into escrow on Aug. 29, according to agent Jim Magliulo, of Country Air Commercial. The property had been on and off the market for about a year.
“Basically, we”re looking at economic development and diversification,” Mickey Burke, tribal administrator and director of economic development, said. “It”s a beautiful resort.”
The tribe plans on initially operating the property as a resort, to complement the hotel space offered at its Konocti Vista Casino Resort, while also exploring the feasibility of opening a “small, boutique-style casino” sometime in the future, Burke said.
Operating the resort facilities is the tribe”s “first intention,” Burke said, adding that Big Valley representatives plan to meet with the local community about the prospect of opening a casino at the site.
The small casino could consist of 80 machines, a few table games, restaurant and bar in addition to resort operations, Burke said. The tribe would first need to get the property into trust, which could take 18 to 36 months, he said.
In the meantime, the tribe would look at remodeling and modernizing the resort facilities should the sale become final. No “major construction” would be involved in the proposed casino, Burke said.
Job creation is an important factor in the tribe”s plans for the property, according to Burke, who estimated six to 12 full-time jobs for solely resort operations compared to an estimated 65 to 70 full-time employees for the small casino.
Burke said the tribe would “absolutely” consider operating the resort if there is significant opposition to a future casino at the property.
A 45-day contingency window for the escrow agreement expires Oct. 15, allowing the tribe time to explore and vet aspects of the acquisition before beginning the finalization process.
Feedback on the potential acquisition “seems very positive at this point,” Burke said.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
