Hualapais take over another project

PHOENIX — The Hualapai Tribe has taken over a second major tourism project from investment partners.

The Arizona Republic reports that the tribe has taken over the Western-themed town known as Hualapai Ranch.

The latest controversy emerged publicly as Hualapai leaders moved to appeal a $28.6 million judgment in favor of a Las Vegas developer who successfully sued the tribe’s business arm over seizure of the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge built on tribal land.

Las Vegas developer David Jin’s company, Grand Canyon Skywalk Development LLC, is asking a judge to garnish some bank accounts belonging to the tribe’s company. Attorneys for the tribal enterprise have told the judge they’re appealing the judgment.

Jim Brown, who built the Hualapai Ranch and cabins on reservation land under a revenue-sharing agreement, said the tribe kicked out his Western Destinations company last month. Brown’s company released a document saying leaders of the tribe’s tourism entity, Grand Canyon Resort Corp., carried out a “premeditated plan to manufacture alleged events of default” at Hualapai Ranch.

Charlie Vaughn, a tribal councilman and former chairman who also served on Hualapai corporate boards, said outside investors violated legal agreements, and the Indian nation has an absolute right to determine what happens on the reservation. “It’s a stand for the sovereign status of our people,” he said.

Brown, who had done Western attractions in the past near Black Canyon City with brother Mike, said a Hualapai tourism official first contacted him in 2004 about building an Old West town as an extra activity for visitors to Skywalk, which was still in the works.

The project evolved into Hualapai Ranch, with wagon and horse rides, cowboy games, cabins and dining. The Browns’ business signed an agreement to spend more than $1 million building the project in return for a share of revenue. The ranch opened in 2005.

Jim Brown alleges tribal officials condemned and seized a Hualapai Ranch barn in March, then began planning new developments.

Grand Canyon Resort Corp., the tribe’s tourism entity, declared in December that Jim and Mike Brown violated construction provisions in their contract.

Grand Canyon Resort Corp. said Hualapai Ranch is a safety risk.

The Browns said they cannot understand how Hualapai Ranch and the Skywalk continue to operate if Grand Canyon Resort Corp. believes a risk exists.

Dave Cieslak, a spokesman for the Hualapai Tribe, said in an email that some ranch structures have been closed to the public, and buildings that remain open aren’t hazardous.