All members of the Schenectady Planning Commission backed the site plan for the construction and the operation of a four-story Courtyard Marriott hotel as a part of the $450-million Rivers Casino & Resort at a Wednesday meeting.
The multimillion hotel and casino resort was one of the three similar projects that were given the green light by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board in December 2014, with the other two being Montreign Resort Casino in Thompson, and Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre.
Two weeks ago, the Planning Commission approved the developer’s bid to build a 50-mooring marina at the Mohawk Harbor as a part of the resort.
As previously reported, the four-story Courtyard Marriott is to feature as many as 124 luxurious rooms. The facility will be managed by Albany-based BBL Hospitality. Dan Hershberg, consultant on the Schenectady project, commented on the addition of the hotel as an “ideal fit” for the multimillion resort.
He also pointed out during a special presentation about the property that developer’s main purpose is to present visitors with various gaming, hospitality, and retail options. Rotterdam-based real estate company Galesi Group and Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming are working together on the major project.
Mr. Hershberg further explained that the Courtyard Marriott hotel would also offer to guests a sitting area with outdoor furniture and a fire pit. The facility will be located in near proximity to the five-acre harbor and visitors will be able to reach the latter by means of a walkway. The hotel will also feature a parking lot with as many as 125 spaces.
Commission members were also to vote on lighting and landscaping matters during yesterday’s meeting but the developer pointed out that there are certain issues that need to be ironed out.
The commission asked James Tripp, one of the HBT Architects who attended the meeting, as to whether the hotel will use renewable energy, so as for the negative environmental impact to be minimized. Mr. Tripp explained that the developer is currently discussing the options with the New York Energy Research and Development Authority.
Galesi’s experts are to return to the Planning Commission next month, as they are expected to present site plans for the casino. According to initial information, the gambling venue would spread over 151,000 square feet and would feature as many as 1,150 slot machines and 66 table games.
