Construction on Creek casino complex halted | Business

WETUMPKA, AL (WSFA) - Construction on a new 20-story hotel and casino in Wetumpka is being halted, but Mayor Jerry Willis says he's not concerned. "This is temporary," he said of the delay. 

Leaders of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians agreed to stop the project after protests by the Muscogee Nation of Creek Indians, an Oklahoma tribe with connections to the land. The Native News Network reports that construction ended Tuesday at 5:00pm.

The Muscogee Nation objected to the $246 million project, which promises approximately 600 jobs, because it doesn't want the graves of its ancestors exhumed and moved.

The Native News Network reports that the human remains of at least 60 people, including some chiefs, have been removed from the land because of the construction project.

Mayor Willis said he's "confident that construction will resume very shortly," adding that it "might be tomorrow, might be as late as next week."

No firm date has been given by either tribe on the next step, but negotiations between them are said to be ongoing.

WSFA 12 News reporter Bryan Henry is working to gather additional details on this story.