Council gives go-ahead to shopping center

By Stan Bindell
For The Independent

KYKOTSMOVI, Ariz. — The Hopi Tribal Council voted 9-7-1 to approve a master lease for Sichomovi Village that will pave the way for a gas station, convenience store, fast-food restaurant, a grocery store, a Laundromat and possibly a bank.

The Hopi Tribal Council voted on the measure March 30.

The approved lease land is 25.1 acres on land that borders Rt. 264.

Sichomovi Village will sublease the land to Sandia Oil and other parties.

Beth Cascadden, community service administrator for Sichomovi Village, said final approval also must come from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. She anticipates that will be a formality and will take two to three weeks.

Cascadden said this is a $2.5 million project with funding coming from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant. She said this will create 49 permanent jobs and about 30 temporary construction jobs.

"We're starting to take applications for managers and meat cutters and construction could start in 30 days," she said. "We hope the doors will open within six months."

Hopi Councilman Clifford Quotsquahu said due to the tribe's shrinking funds that this local economic development is needed. He said it will bring in more revenue and jobs.

Since the Peabody Coal Mine closed, the tribe has lost a large percentage of its income.

Cascadden said this project proposal has been in the works since 1980 and she has been working on it for the past two years.

"I encourage all other communities to work toward their goals. This shows that it can be done," she said. "This will be a huge impact for a small area."

The nine councilmembers voting for the measure were Nada Talayumptewa, Phillip Quochytewa Sr., Jack Harding Jr., Deanna Etnire, Cedric Kuwaninvaya, Anita Bahnimptewa, King Honani Sr., Clifford Quotsquahu and Lyman Polacca.

The seven councilmembers voting against the measure were Archie Dewahoyeoma, Leon Koruh, Jerry Sekayumptewa Sr., Davis Pecusa, Kingston Honahni Sr., Eugene Kaye and Alvin Chaca.

Hopi Councilman Ambrose Namoki Sr. abstained and Hopi Councilwoman Alene Garcia was absent.

Hopi Chairman Ivan Sidney was absent from the meeting so Vice Chairman Todd Honyaoma Sr. presided.