The plan for Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, one of the three gambling venues that were backed by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board in December 2014, is to be presented to the local Planning Commission on March 31 and to be thoroughly reviewed by it.
The hotel and casino resort is set to be built on a 60-acre site, where the ALCO property was located. The latest drawings that were filed to Schenectady regulators by the Galesi Group, a Rotterdam-based real estate developer, which is in charge of the $450-million project, show that the initial location of the venue had been moved a little.
The changes in the original plan were due to developer’s intention to leave room for further expansion in future. This is why the hotel venue will not be part of the casino, but will be built separately and pretty close to the gambling facility itself.
Yesterday, Schenectady City Planner Christine Primiano pointed out that during the meeting on March 31, she and her colleagues will focus their attention on the location of the separate buildings the resort will feature, as well as the location of roads, footprints, bike lanes, utilities, etc.
Ms. Primiano explained that the review will be based on presentations by Galesi experts. She also said that one meeting will probably not be enough for the review to be completed.
Once every single part of the plan for the construction of the resort is thoroughly reviewed, Galesi will be able to submit it to the Planning Commission for one final approval
The Rotterdam-based developer is working in collaboration with Chicago-headquartered gambling operator Rush Street Gaming, LLC.
As previously reported, Rivers Casino & Resort was one of all three casino projects that were approved by the state Gaming Facility Location Board on December 17, 2014, the other two being Montreign Resort Casino in Thompson and Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre. A few weeks ago, the regulator announced that a fourth license might be granted for the Southern Tier area.
According to the initial plan, Rivers Casino & Resort will feature about 300 apartments as well as a 124-room hotel, operated under the Marriott brand. Another 150-room hotel will also be part of the resort. As for the casino, it will offer to its visitors as many as 1,150 slot machines and 66 gaming tables. Last but not least, a harbor with 50 moorings will also be constructed in a near proximity to the complex.
