Nov. 17–The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians expects to spend more than half a billion dollars on building a 500-room hotel, a 4,000-seat entertainment venue and a 2,200-stall parking structure adjacent to its existing casino.

Tribe officials this week revealed a project price tag of $550 million, dwarfing those of other casino expansions planned by Southern California tribes.

Construction at San Manuel could begin as early as next year with a completion date in 2020.

The two-year project is expected to create approximately 1,400 construction jobs, officials said. About 1,200 will be hired to work at the new sites.

The tribe announced plans to expand on Nov. 7.

"This project will add another segment of the market to San Manuel," CEO Jerry Paresa said in a phone interview Thursday. "Because of our proximity to the Los Angeles market, we have a lot of loyal patrons from within a 40-mile radius, and outside of it, too, who may want to stay here for a weekend rather than overnight.

"This offers them another amenity they might otherwise go elsewhere for. It's going to have a direct impact on the local and regional economy."

Since San Manuel's announcement, a number of influential community members have "embraced" the project for its undeniable economic impact, Paresa said. "We're getting a lot of support."

The tribe is about halfway through a 30-day public review process during which county residents can comment on such off-reservation issues as aesthetics, noise and traffic. After San Manuel drafts a Tribal Environmental Impact Report to issue to the state, the public will have another 45 days to review the plans.

Everything is on schedule, Paresa said.

To put the $550 million investment into perspective, Paresa noted that San Manuel in 2016 purchased more than $392 million in goods and services from San Bernardino County businesses.

"The tribe has always been a responsible partner in the community," Paresa said. "We do everything we can to support the quality of life in this community and address any concerns here.

"This $550 million is an infusion of reinvestment back into this community."

Other casino expansion costs

–Pechanga Resort & Casino: $285 million

–Pala Casino Spa & Resort: $170 million

–Soboba Casino: No exact figure, but projected to be several million dollars