The Aquinnah tribe Tuesday announced Phase I of a $167 million proposed casino development, using 50 of the 500 acres the tribe is planning to place in trust in Lakeville or Freetown.
The tribe is proposing a 145,000-square-foot casino with 2,700 slot machines and 36-table games. The design also includes a 150,000-square-foot hotel and a 130,000-square-foot garage.
A referendum vote is scheduled in Freetown on May 29 and in Lakeville, June 2.
The $167 million development would include traffic mitigation, road improvements and buffer space between the casino and any retail or residential areas in Freetown or Lakeville.
The tribe is meeting tonight in the auditorium at the Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville to publicly roll out the plans. The project will be posted at http://aquinnahgaming.com/
The news comes as the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe continues pursuing its plan for a resort casino in Taunton. The new state gaming law allows for one casino in southeastern Massachusetts, and one each in greater Boston and western Massachusetts.