Good bets for development don't always pan out

By JACK HOPKINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Auburn also has plenty to offer those who would rather gamble than shop or listen to classical music. There's Emerald Downs, which restored the sport of thoroughbred racing to the region after a 45-month absence following closure of Longacres. And there is the Muckleshoot Indian Casino.

Auburn is unique among Northwest cities because it has part of an Indian reservation located within its city limits -- not just next to it.

That's a mixed blessing for the city, which has little say over what happens on the reservation land but is responsible for providing a wide range of services -- such as police and sewer -- to some of it.

The Muckleshoot tribe does contribute between $500,000 and $600,000 a year to the city to pay for its impact on Auburn; that money comes from gambling revenues at its casino.

The 52-table casino, which features poker, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette and a variety of other games, hasn't drawn many complaints from area residents. And Indian officials say the casino, which raises money for tribal projects, has worked out well.

"We have been successful ever since the casino opened in August of 1995. We are pleased with the progress," says casino marketing manager Ken Laskey.

The tribe's plans to develop an outdoor amphitheater off state Route 164 between Auburn and Enumclaw, however, have been much more controversial.

Thoughts of up 20,000 people clogging the highway on their way to and from what could be noisy concerts in a predominantly rural area have stirred up local residents.

Auburn officials are a bit worried about the amphitheater, too. (See background.)

"We are concerned that there will be liquor-by-the-drink served out there. We are concerned about adequate controls and monitoring of the crowd. And Highway 164 is already overloaded," says Mayor Charles Booth.

Adding 20,000 concertgoers to the evening rush-hour traffic will cause major problems, Krauss says. "Frankly, we don't see how that works." And on weekends it could delay people driving to Mount Rainier, he says.

The SuperMall, Emerald Downs and the casino, however, have had a positive impact on the city, says Krauss. "People are starting to realize that Auburn is where the action is."

However, with the advent of the mall, racetrack and casino, crime has taken an upturn.

"Fraud and forgery have increased tremendously," Auburn police spokeswoman Cheryl Price says. "Stolen credit cards and stolen checks have increased as well."

Murder, rape, arson and residential burglary are down significantly this year from their 1996 levels, Price says. Robberies and aggravated assaults are up slightly.

Continued:

• Small-town values thrive despite area's rapid growth
• Helping hands are plentiful for those in need
• New SuperMall is sign of changing times for town
• Railroads link people's past with future