Tulalips betting big on economic growth

The Tulalip Tribes' ambition can't be denied. The first Seattle-area tribe to build a casino plans to expand it by adding a 12-story hotel, four-story office building and museum to Quil Ceda Village.

And that's only the beginning. The tribes hope the $200 million complex, off Interstate 5 northwest of Marysville, will eventually include another hotel tower, recreational-vehicle park, possible water park and some light-manufacturing space.

"It would be nice to attract an aerospace manufacturer," said state Rep. John McCoy, D-Tulalip.

The Tulalip Casino Hotel will be attached to the Tulalip Casino. It will feature 363 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a 30,000-square-foot convention center, additional gaming space, spa, salon, fitness center and pool.

Construction of the hotel is to begin July 12 and be complete by spring 2008.

The hotel is expected to create about 450 jobs, McCoy said. The museum will be run by tribal members.

The tribes are still trying to decide on one of three locations for the office building.

Work has begun on a repository, where artifacts will be identified and stored. The museum will be built next door, but no date has been set for its construction.

Nearby Marysville is looking forward to the expansion.

"Any time they do an expansion, it just brings more people to the area," said Mary Swenson, the city's chief administrative officer.

The city decided early on to complement the growth of the village, Swenson said.

It has built a waterfront park and improved its downtown area to attract visitors to the other side of I-5.

More businesses are opening up branches in Marysville, including Costco and Target.

"The casino has had a positive impact on North Snohomish County," she said. "There have been more jobs."

McCoy said the tribes, state, county and nearby cities eventually plan to expand I-5 near exits 200 and 202 to accommodate more traffic.

The Tulalip Casino is one of the most successful casinos in the state. It has a 2.2-acre gaming floor and 2,000 video slot machines.

Quil Ceda Village is also home to an outlet mall, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and other stores, and to the Tulalip Tribes Amphitheater, a 2,300-seat theater that opened in August.

And the Tulalips have their eyes on yet another addition:

"Northern Snohomish County needs a four-year university," McCoy said. "Everybody wants it in their front yard."

Bibeka Shrestha: 206-464-2436 or bshrestha@seattletimes.com