Tribe Breaks Ground on Hotel, Convention Hall

Leaders of the Santa Ynez band of Chumash Indians broke ground for a $157-million expansion of its casino to add a 105-room hotel, convention hall and health center.

Tribal leaders addressed complaints about the project by scaling it back from five stories to four and building fewer rooms.

For months, the project has been opposed by many community members concerned about traffic control at the casino entrance on California 246 and the lack of water and sewer capability.