While traffic has calmed since the Graton Resort & Casino opened on Nov. The true impact, however, has been more subtle - and more potent - than many had anticipated. Advocates countered it would unleash an economic tidal wave that would create jobs, fill government coffers and lift the fortunes of a tribe whose traditional lands were taken away by Congress more than 150 years ago. Thousands of people clogged Highway 101 and side streets to experience the debut of the $825 million Las Vegas-style gambling hub, built in a former cow pasture in a collaboration between a Nevada casino giant and a once-destitute Native American tribe.Ĭritics warned the 320,000-square-foot facility would lead to sharp increases in traffic, crime and personal bankruptcies while damaging the region’s environment and depleting its groundwater supply.

“It’s here, so I might as well enjoy it,” she said.Five years ago, the largest casino in the Bay Area threw open its doors on the western outskirts of Rohnert Park amid much fear - and hope - about the ways it would change Sonoma County. While she did not originally want a casino in the area, she acknowledged the tribe had a right to build it and admired the resort’s contemporary beauty.

Santa Rosa resident Debbie Milby was among those gathered Tuesday morning to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony, even though she had opposed the idea of building the casino. Tribal members also explored the expansion as part of an exclusive party Sunday night and were “blown away” by what they saw, Sarris said. “We want to make sure the guest experience is an easy-to-understand one and not a riddle-filled experience,” Hasson said. He said the resort also worked on its “choreography” - making sure that guests could move easily from one area to the next, for example. Joe Hasson, the resort’s vice president and general manager, said trial runs helped the resort make adjustments, such as turning down the initial volume on hotel room televisions after realizing they were set too loud. This device is unable to display framed content.

Graton casino pool party