SENECA FALLS — New name. New partners. New management. New jobs. New design.
And, a new, higher price tag.
Wilmorite, the Rochester-based developer proposing to build a casino and resort on 85 acres east of Route 414, just north of the Thruway in the Seneca County town of Tyre, revealed the name and other details of its plan during a press conference Wednesday morning at the Holiday Inn.
The biggest news: Lago Casino & Resort will be the name of the new development, if it’s built.
“We have adopted the Italian word for lake to highlight the magnificent Finger Lakes region and the outstanding vineyards and wineries in the area,” Wilmorite chairman Thomas Wilmot Sr. said.
Also announced yesterday:
• JNB Gaming of Indiana and Peninsula Pacific of Iowa will partner with Wilmorite in the venture. JNB Gaming of Indiana would manage the resort. The partnership will drive the investment price from $350 million to $425 million.
• The new design brings the parking garage down one level by building it on a lower part of the property, allowing for an underground floor and taking a floor off the top. The hotel also would be moved on the site to a lower area, allowing for a reduction in its height over the original design.
• The gaming area would be the same and the overall site design enhanced. There would be a swimming pool, a three-level theater, increased food venues, a daycare center for the public and employees, and a spa.
Wilmorite will include the changes when it submits it application for a gaming license to the New York State Gaming Commission Siting Board. Wilmot said that will happen Friday, three days ahead of the deadline.
The Tyre project is one of three vying for a single Region 5 license. Region 5 includes Broome, Chemung, Tioga, Schuyler, Tompkins and Seneca counties and part of Wayne County.
Jonathan Swain, principal of JNB Gaming, displayed 10 artist renderings of the new design and site plan on easels. The new plan moves the 208-room hotel, casino and parking garage to allow for better screening from neighboring properties.
“We will use a lot of natural stone and stucco in the entranceway and buildings,” Swain said. “It will have a more residential than commercial feel, with natural colors and fabrics that reflect upstate New York, not Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
“The name change is designed to connect the casino and hotel to the Finger Lakes area,” Swain said, adding that JNB and Peninsula Pacific have teamed to build a total of six casinos in Iowa, Louisiana and Kansas.
Swain said lighting would be subdued, with a waterfall in the food court area and natural light spilling through windows. The food court would have a “Savor New York” theme promoting local wines, brews and food, with revolving displays by local vendors.
The main restaurant would be a steak-and-seafood eatery called Portico.
Because of the new amenities, the number of construction jobs to build Lago would increase from 1,200 to 2,100. The number of permanent jobs is still estimated to be 1,800.
Brent Stevens, chairman and CEO of Peninsula Pacific, said the new design will “hopefully give people a reason to come — and when they get there, to be given great service to make it a positive experience.”
Thomas Wilmot Jr. said the financial partnership is designed to show the state Gaming Commission that there is no risk of a funding shortfall.
“This partnership will make this the strongest gaming application in the state,” he said.
Stevens said one of the goals is to entice casino goers to visit other venues while in the area.
“We hope there will be spinoffs and economic multipliers. It’s happened at our other projects,” Stevens said. “The Route 318 and 414 areas will see a lot of traffic, and if infrastructure is there, more development could be encouraged.”
Swain said the theater alone accounts for roughly $20 million of the additional $75 million for the project.
The number of gaming tables will be reduced by 15, while the number of electronic gaming machines will remain at 2,000.
Shawn Griffin of the Rochester-based Harris Beach law firm, which is representing Wilmorite, said the group will go back to the town of Tyre to obtain approval for its signs. At that time, they will present the new design for local officials to review.
They received all other required Town Board approvals June 12.
Stevens said the plan is to build a resort that stands out among all others, while taking into account some of the worries expressed by residents during the process.
“We listened to the concerns of the community and have tried to respond to them in the new design,” Stevens said. “We will continue to meet with opponents and discuss concerns and ways to address them.”
The state is expected to finish its review of the applications and announce license winners around Oct. 1.
If the Lago project is chosen, construction will begin immediately. The target date for the casino to open is Jan. 1, 2016, with the hotel’s completion scheduled for a few months later.
