Florida’s Miccosukee Tribe has revealed plans to refurbish Miccosukee Service Plaza, according to a news report from the Miami Herald.
The Tribe will add a casino and 150 slot machines next to the Glades Cafe and Dunkin’ Donuts service station, which will offer players access to 8,500 square feet of gaming space, as well as easy access to coffee and donuts.
The new casino is scheduled to open in November, according to the local news report.
The Tribe currently operates a casino and resort west of Florida International University in the Everglades.
Miccosukee Tribe Secretary Business Council “Popeye” William Osceola recently spoke at a groundbreaking event for the new casino at a Collier County service plaza in Ochopee.
He told attendees and the Miami Herald that the Tribe is looking to branch out with this new project.
Osceola commented, “We haven’t had an expansion in about two decades since the resort. It’s important because we need room to grow as a community – we have community members living here but if we can show that this facility is working, then more people may come here.
“We don’t have a lot of room where we’re at and we’d like to grow. A tree doesn’t get bigger if you contain its roots.”
The Miccosukee Tribe Chairman and Business Council leader, Talbert Cypress, shared with local news the Tribe’s goals for the new facility, which include increasing its income.
Cypress said, “This is original reservation land, and we haven’t had the resources to build out here and we’re hoping this does that.”
