Grand Canyon Skywalk Investor Dies – Legal Battle with Hualapai Tribe Continues

David Jin, a tour operator and businessman who built the Grand Canyon Skywalk attraction in Arizona, died in a Los Angeles hospital after a long battle with cancer. The 51 year-old Shanghai native built the horseshoe-shaped glass bridge on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Grand Canyon West in 2007.

Jin came to the United States in the late 80s and operated several Las Vegas-based travel and tours companies. His Grand Canyon tours included the 2 ½ hour trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon west rim which sparked the idea to build the Skywalk.

The massive structure, which is the tribe’s biggest grand canyon tourist attraction, extends out 70 feet from the Grand Canyon’s walls, providing visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park an outstanding view several thousand feet down. Visiting the Skywalk is one of the most popular Grand Canyon things to do during a Grand Canyon vacation.

After reaching a deal with the Hualapai tribe, Jin invested $30 million into building the Skywalk.  Both sides agree to split ticket sales profits over 25 years. The relationship between Jin and the Tribe became unpleasant over the years, with both sides squabbling over an incomplete visitor center and management fees.

Last year, the Hualapai tribe members enforced eminent domain over the agreement, basically removing Jin from his management position, which led to continuing legal fights. Jin confronted the court and was awarded nearly $29 million. The court order is being appealed. A federal defamation suit against tribal members as well as the tribe’s public relations firm was also filed by Jin.

Yvonne Jin, Jin’s wife and business associate, will continue to oversee Skywalk as well as Jin’s other businesses. Ted Quasula, tribal member and Jin’s longtime business partner, will continue to manage Grand Canyon Skywalk. According to Quasula, the Skywalk is David’s eternal legacy.