Chicago-based developer Rush Street Gaming said that it would consider implementing certain changes in the design of its $330-million casino property, which is to be built in Schenectady, New York.
Last week, the company released new renderings of the so-called Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor. The company is to present its plan before the Schenectady Planning Commission at a June 17 meeting.
However, the developer faced strong criticism over the new exterior facade of the property. Greg Carlin, Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Gaming, commented that they would be glad to hear people’s opinion and to change the casino’s design if this is what they want.
As it could be seen from the renderings, the new design has a bit more traditional look. Mr. Carlin explained that they want their property to blend better with the rest of the buildings in the city and to complement the neighboring multi-purpose $150-million development, which is to be built by Rotterdam-based Galesi Group. This is why brown bricks as well as other features were added to the design.
As for the exterior presented in the original renderings, Mr. Carlin described it as too modern to fit in the city. However, it seems that the new design was not welcomed by Schenectady residents, as they criticized it on Twitter and in local media. The executive said that they did not expect such a negative reaction.
Some saw the new design as a means for the developer to save money. Mr. Carlin and Mike Levin, design consultant for Rush Street Gaming, ensured that this is not the case and the budget will remain the same.
Mr. Levin also commented that the materials in the new facade could be rearranged in a manner that would completely change the appearance of the property.
Another change that could be noticed in the released renderings was the new layout of the buildings. Under the new design, the 850-space parking garage, which would have been placed between the Mohawk Harbor and the casino, was moved. Mr. Carlin explained that they believed the change was more customer-friendly.
Furthermore, the executive revealed that Philip Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Proctors, Schenectady, had suggested that Rivers Casino & Resort could feature a bigger banquet hall. This is why its size was doubled to 10,000 square feet in the new renderings.
The developer is expected to commence construction on its hotel and casino complex sometime this fall, in case it is granted its license by the New York Gaming Facility Location Board. Once completed, it would employ more than 1,200 people.
Last December, the regulatory body backed the construction of three casino facilities on the territory of the state – Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, Montreign Resort Casino in Thompson, and Lago Resort & Casino in Tyre.
In March, the New York State Gaming Commission formally opened a bidding process for a fourth casino in the state. Developers and gaming operators have up until July 6 to submit their application for the construction of a Las Vegas-style gambling venue in the Southern Tier region.
