Both Park Place and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe are working closely with the federal, state and local authorities in securing all the necessary regulatory approvals, Park Place officials add. Scott LaPorta, chief financing officer for Park Place, says that the company and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe will be working simultaneously in an attempt to expedite the approval process. He tells GlobeSt.com, "It's been indicated that it could take a year to obtain approvals (from the Bureau of Indian Affairs) but we are hopeful it will be less than that."

Besides local building approvals that must be won, the St. Regis Mohawks must also enter into compact with New York State that would grant approval for the Tribe to develop a casino at the Kutsher's site. Additional applications will be filed with the National Indian Gaming Commission for approval of the agreements between Park Place and the Tribe, company officials say.

"We are pleased to join the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in developing this gaming facility," says Tom Gallagher, president and chief executive officer of Park Place. "We believe this project will provide a much-needed benefit to the economic well-being of the members of the Tribe as well as being a major catalyst for future growth in the economy of Sullivan County and the state of New York." Park Place officials say the firm plans to build a 750-room resort that will include 165,000 square feet of gaming space, 15,000 sf of meeting space, eight restaurants and a spa.