Rivers Casino plans to start building $35M hotel in spring
Street issue resolved; city panel to be briefed
A $35 million hotel is the latest roll of the dice by Rivers Casino.
More than a year in the making, the 214-room hotel would be built on the east side of the North Shore property near the Carnegie Science Center. The casino is expected to brief the city planning commission on the proposal Tuesday.
Rivers Casino is moving ahead with the project after finally getting a paper street — one that appears on maps but does not actually exist — vacated by the city after trying to do so for more than a year.
Legislation approving the street vacation was approved by city council and signed by Mayor Bill Peduto last month.
Construction of the sevenstory hotel, which would overlook the Ohio River, is expected to start this spring, spokesman Jack Horner said. It is expected to take 12 to 14 months.
Mr. Horner declined further comment until after the casino has had a chance to brief the commission.
Based on renderings, the hotel would be attached to the casino. Among its amenities would be a restaurant, bar and spa.
The casino has estimated that the project would generate 105 permanent jobs, $29.2 million in additional gaming tax revenues, and $4.7 million in county hotel and sales tax revenue within five years of opening.
In its application to the planning commission, the casino said the hotel would complement the existing architecture and riverfront park.
An event lawn is planned on the river side of the hotel. On Casino Drive, a wider treelined sidewalk and public space are planned, according to the filing.
Since opening in August 2009, the casino has been considering a possible hotel for the second phase of its development. It began studying the issue more closely in 2014 in response to intensifying competition from Ohio and other surrounding states.
The hotel has won the support of the science center.