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SCHENECTADY, NY — Representatives of Rush Street Gaming were joined by local and state officials, members of the business community and local partners today on the banks of the Mohawk River to celebrate the start of construction on Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady with a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony.
Rush Street Gaming was awarded a license in December 2015 to construct and operate a gaming facility in Schenectady. The company has a history of bringing successful casinos to market from the ground up in markets across the country.
“Today is a tremendous milestone for the City of Schenectady, the State of New York, and for Rush Street Gaming,” said Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin. “Rivers Casino & Resort will be a first-class gaming facility, and we can’t wait to unveil it to our future customers and team members, and to open the doors of what will truly be an exceptional entertainment experience.”
“Rivers Casino & Resort will bring many hundreds of jobs to the Capital Region, and millions in tax revenues to the City and County of Schenectady,” said Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy. “Today marks another milestone in the revival story of Schenectady, and I am proud to celebrate the start of yet another positive chapter in our history.”
“Schenectady has welcomed Rivers Casino & Resort, and we welcome this community as partners,” said Mary Cheeks, General Manager of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady. “I’m looking forward to the next steps in bringing this facility to life, including hiring for the hundreds of jobs that we’ll need to fill. We’ve heard that Schenectady is ready for Rivers – and we are ready for Schenectady.”
“The Rivers Casino at Mohawk Harbor is a game changer for Schenectady County, creating new jobs and generating millions of dollars in tax revenue every year for Schenectady County, the City of Schenectady and our local school districts,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “Thank you Rush Street Gaming and the Galesi Group for investing in Schenectady County, turning this long vacant eyesore into a waterfront tourist and entertainment destination.”
“When we first met the team from Rush Street Gaming, we knew they were going to be tremendous partners on this project,” said David Buicko, COO of the Galesi Group. “Along with the progress that we’ve already made at Mohawk Harbor, including opening access to the Mohawk River, we are on the cusp of opening an entertainment destination for the entire Capital Region and beyond.”
Construction on Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady began immediately upon award of a gaming license by New York State in December 2015. Rush Street Gaming is committing to an aggressive construction schedule and a 2017 opening.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady will have a 50,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,150 slot machines, 63 gaming tables and 15 poker tables attached to a 163-room hotel and a 10,000-square-foot banquet facility capable of hosting up to 600 people for conventions and special events, one of the largest spaces in the region. Additionally, the property will have a steakhouse, a marketplace with light fare eateries, entertainment lounge and day spa. The casino will take full advantage of its riverfront position with outdoor patios and pre-function spaces.
Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady will be located adjacent to a new mixed-use Mohawk Harbor development currently under construction by the Galesi Group, which constitutes an additional $150 million investment in the 60-acre riverfront property. The mix of residential, retail and commercial space will include a 124-room Courtyard by Marriott and a 50-slip harbor on the Mohawk River and Erie Canal.
For more information on Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, visit www.riverscasinoandresort.com.
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About Rush Street Gaming – Founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin, Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Des Plaines, IL (Chicago area). By placing an emphasis on superior design and outstanding customer service, Rush Street Gaming has become one of the leading casino developers in the United States. Existing casinos generate over $1 billion in annual gaming revenues, and all Rush Street Gaming casinos were voted a 2015 “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their team members.