Billsman
January 9th, 2006, 11:35:42 AM
Senecas fast-track bidding for designing new casino
By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
1/9/2006
A handpicked group of seven architectural firms has been invited to submit proposals to design the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo.
The Seneca Nation of Indians sent out a 13-page request for proposals to an undisclosed list of architectural firms Dec. 26, according to John Pasqualoni, president and chief executive of Seneca Gaming Corp.
"The design firms . . . are, in our estimation, among the best in the country in creating signature casino destinations," Pasqualoni said. "We want the design of Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino to equally reflect the rich history of the Seneca Nation and the bright future we hope lies ahead for the City of Buffalo."
The list of selected design firms is said to include architects from across the country, as well as from Western New York. Under the fast-track design timeline, interested firms have until Jan. 20 to submit preliminary designs and cost estimates. A winning proposal would be selected by Jan. 31.
The Senecas are seeking designs for a 100,000-square-foot casino to be built on a nine-acre site along Michigan Avenue near the city's Cobblestone District.
The design must include a casino that can accommodate 2,200 slot machines, 50 gaming tables, a fine-dining restaurant, a buffet and two small retail spaces. It also must incorporate a 2,500-vehicle parking ramp, plus space for back-of-house operations, a loading and warehouse area and casino offices.
The Seneca Nation also is seeking designs for future expansion, including schematics for a 250-room, low- to mid-rise hotel that would provide banquet, meeting room and convention facilities. While the Senecas maintain they have no immediate plans for a hotel complex, a spokesman said Thursday they want to address growth options at the onset of the project.
The firms also are being asked to come up with an initial parking ramp design that will accommodate future expansion.
The Senecas are asking the architects to submit proposals that make use of the neighborhood's urban streetscape, taking into account pedestrian and vehicular needs, as well as existing plans for development of the city's inner harbor area.
In another signal of the Senecas' interest in moving quickly to get their third casino up and running, they have made several references to a "six-month" construction timetable.
Under its gaming compact with New York State, the Senecas have until Dec. 9, 2007, to have a casino open, but it is expected they will attempt to open its doors in time for New Year's Eve.
The Seneca Nation's search for a casino design comes as a group of local residents heads to federal court in a bid to block the entire project on the grounds federal officials did not follow proper procedure in granting the Senecas sovereign status for the Michigan Avenue land. The court challenge was filed Tuesday and has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
No date for an initial hearing has been set.
Seneca President Barry E. Snyder Sr. declined to discuss the lawsuit, saying the nation is moving full-speed ahead.
"We do not believe it is prudent to sit on the sidelines and impede development, but rather to move forward so that those who need and want to work can find opportunity in Buffalo," Snyder said, refering to the casino project as an "economic development opportunity" for the Senecas and the people of Buffalo.
The Senecas began demolishing the former HO Oats milling facility, situated on a portion of the casino site, on Dec. 8, as part of their formal ground-breaking ceremony. While much of the multi-building brick structure has now been razed, they have not touched the grain elevators, which preservationists hope to protect.
The Senecas also are continuing to exchange documents with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority regarding the potential purchase of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western rail terminal. The structure, two blocks from the main casino site, behind HSBC Arena, is being targeted for an "extension of the nation's downtown presence," with additional gaming operations, retail, entertainment and a fine-dining restaurant.
By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
1/9/2006
A handpicked group of seven architectural firms has been invited to submit proposals to design the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo.
The Seneca Nation of Indians sent out a 13-page request for proposals to an undisclosed list of architectural firms Dec. 26, according to John Pasqualoni, president and chief executive of Seneca Gaming Corp.
"The design firms . . . are, in our estimation, among the best in the country in creating signature casino destinations," Pasqualoni said. "We want the design of Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino to equally reflect the rich history of the Seneca Nation and the bright future we hope lies ahead for the City of Buffalo."
The list of selected design firms is said to include architects from across the country, as well as from Western New York. Under the fast-track design timeline, interested firms have until Jan. 20 to submit preliminary designs and cost estimates. A winning proposal would be selected by Jan. 31.
The Senecas are seeking designs for a 100,000-square-foot casino to be built on a nine-acre site along Michigan Avenue near the city's Cobblestone District.
The design must include a casino that can accommodate 2,200 slot machines, 50 gaming tables, a fine-dining restaurant, a buffet and two small retail spaces. It also must incorporate a 2,500-vehicle parking ramp, plus space for back-of-house operations, a loading and warehouse area and casino offices.
The Seneca Nation also is seeking designs for future expansion, including schematics for a 250-room, low- to mid-rise hotel that would provide banquet, meeting room and convention facilities. While the Senecas maintain they have no immediate plans for a hotel complex, a spokesman said Thursday they want to address growth options at the onset of the project.
The firms also are being asked to come up with an initial parking ramp design that will accommodate future expansion.
The Senecas are asking the architects to submit proposals that make use of the neighborhood's urban streetscape, taking into account pedestrian and vehicular needs, as well as existing plans for development of the city's inner harbor area.
In another signal of the Senecas' interest in moving quickly to get their third casino up and running, they have made several references to a "six-month" construction timetable.
Under its gaming compact with New York State, the Senecas have until Dec. 9, 2007, to have a casino open, but it is expected they will attempt to open its doors in time for New Year's Eve.
The Seneca Nation's search for a casino design comes as a group of local residents heads to federal court in a bid to block the entire project on the grounds federal officials did not follow proper procedure in granting the Senecas sovereign status for the Michigan Avenue land. The court challenge was filed Tuesday and has been assigned to U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
No date for an initial hearing has been set.
Seneca President Barry E. Snyder Sr. declined to discuss the lawsuit, saying the nation is moving full-speed ahead.
"We do not believe it is prudent to sit on the sidelines and impede development, but rather to move forward so that those who need and want to work can find opportunity in Buffalo," Snyder said, refering to the casino project as an "economic development opportunity" for the Senecas and the people of Buffalo.
The Senecas began demolishing the former HO Oats milling facility, situated on a portion of the casino site, on Dec. 8, as part of their formal ground-breaking ceremony. While much of the multi-building brick structure has now been razed, they have not touched the grain elevators, which preservationists hope to protect.
The Senecas also are continuing to exchange documents with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority regarding the potential purchase of the former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western rail terminal. The structure, two blocks from the main casino site, behind HSBC Arena, is being targeted for an "extension of the nation's downtown presence," with additional gaming operations, retail, entertainment and a fine-dining restaurant.