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Hualapai Tribe, Skywalk Developer's Family Reach Deal
After a long dispute the Hualapai Tribe and the family of a Las Vegas businessman have finally reached a financial settlement over the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
The Hualapai Tribe owns the horseshoe-shaped walkway over the west rim of the Grand Canyon. The developer David Jin died last year, but his family pursued the $277 million they claimed were owed him.
For three years the Hualapai and the developer went back and forth. The tribe tried to use an eminent domain ordinance to write Jin out of his management role. They argued Jin breached his contract when he didn’t complete a visitors’ center.
Jin had invested $30 million into the glass bridge. Jin accused the tribe of embezzlement and fraud claiming they invoked tribal sovereignty as an excuse for not producing financial records.
The terms of the settlement have been sealed by court order. Both sides could not comment for this story.
The chairwoman released a statement thanking Jin for his contribution to the attraction. Jin’s widow said, “he would be so proud that people from all over the world will continue to appreciate the architectural marvel he created.”
