Groundbreaking for Monument Valley resort set

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GALLUP — It has been a long time in the works, but the hard work of Navajo Nation officials and Artsco, Inc. is paying off.

The Navajo-owned business has officially announced a May groundbreaking for "The View Hotel and Resort" in Monument Valley and is expected to be completed by July 11, 2008 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the tribal park.

The long-awaited resort will encompass nearly 50,000 square feet, with each room including a balcony for a scenic view of the area's monuments.

"This is on the edge of the monuments," said an elated Art Ortega, general manger of Artsco, Inc. "It's going to really be something."

The first phase of the resort will have 90 rooms, including a grand lobby, a 5,000 square foot dining and meeting room, and a distinct entrance, based on a traditional Navajo hogan.

While some resorts, Ortega said, in Sedona or the Grand Canyon attempt to go for a "Native American feel," he said the resort will be the "real deal," being Navajo owned, operated, and employed.

Ortega's enthusiasm is shared with Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation officials and the Navajo Nation Resource Committee, especially since the resort is expected to be raking in over $1 million a year for the Nation in total revenues, as well creating 90 jobs.

Resource committee chairmen George Arthur, and committee members Norman John, Jr., Larry Noble, Nelson Begaye, Harry Goldtooth, and Herman Daniels, as well as parks director Ray Russell are looking forward to the completion of the project.

Nearly four years ago, Artsco. Inc. won the bid for a restaurant and gift shop lease, beating out eight companies. Navajo Parks and Recreation had been leasing out the site locally, but came to the conclusion that doing so wasn't generating the funds that the site was capable of. Being a popular part of the Nation, especially for tourists, Parks and Recreation saw the potential monies that the site could create for the Nation and decided to bid it out to major companies.

When Artsco, Inc. submitted its bid, it was adamant about getting the lease, and bid to pay 12 percent of gross revenues from the gift shop to the Nation. With most businesses paying an average of 2 percent of gross revenues, accepting the bid from Artsco, Inc. was a no-brainer for committee members.

Immediately, it was evident that they had made the right decision.

Prior to leasing out the site to Artsco, Inc., the Nation received $500 per month, but after the lease, the Nation raked in nearly $25,000 a month.

In 2004, a feasibility study for a hotel was conducted, and the Navajo Parks and Recreation, and the Resource Committee began paperwork to process a hotel lease out to Artsco, Inc.. Artsco, Inc. will be paying the same percentage, making it the highest rate paying hotel operator on the Navajo Nation.

And though the rate may be seen as "too high" for some business owners, it doesn't bother Armanda Ortega, Navajo owner of Artsco, Inc. and daughter of Art Ortega.

Ortega said she is just glad that it will be creating Navajo jobs.