Senecas raise ante on casino; luxury complex to debut in 2010

By Sharon Linstedt - News Business Reporter
Updated: 10/04/07 8:06 AM

Saying it wants to "set a new standard in urban casinos," the Seneca Nation of Indians on Wednesday took the wraps off a $333 million blueprint for its Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, which is believed to be the most expensive private structure ever built in Buffalo.

The upgraded plans for the nine-acre site along Michigan Avenue now include a 22-story, 206- suite luxury hotel to complement a three-story, 90,000-square-foot casino. The addition of the high-end hotel nearly triples the original $125 million budget for the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino project.

"This is our vision, our legacy and our future," said Seneca Nation President Maurice A. John Sr., as he described the ambitious project and the nation?s investment.

The Cobblestone District complex is slated to debut in 2010. A two-phase opening is planned, with the casino opening in the spring, followed by the hotel in midsummer.

"This project is the result of vision, dedication and a willingness to invest," said Seneca Gaming Corp. President Barry E. Snyder Sr. "The project is real. The investment is real, and the future for this record project is now."

Designed by SOSH Architects of Atlantic City, N.J., the sleek hotel tower and casino will be wrapped in a gleaming metallic and glass facade, atop a natural stone base. The hotel building, which will be the sixth-tallest structure in downtown Buffalo, will be topped by a giant video screen that will display interior images of the venue and branding messages for Seneca Gaming.

"Natural light and lighting will be very important to these buildings," said lead architect Nory Hazaveh. "This won?t be a dark box inside, like so many casinos, and exterior lighting will keep it bright and warm-looking, even in the depths of winter."

Foundation work is expected to get under way this fall, with full construction to commence in the spring.

In June 2006, the Senecas unveiled a less-ambitious development that left space for a future hotel but did not treat it as a potential centerpiece. But based on the success of lodging at the nation?s Seneca Niagara and Seneca Allegany casinos, the decision was made to aim high to create a one-of-a-kind hotel.

"This isn?t going to be a $50- a-night place, it will cost hundreds for the best rooms," Snyder said. "The level of style and luxury will make it a destination hotel, not just some place to spend the night when you?re passing through Buffalo."

The Senecas said they hope to attain the AAA?s coveted "Five Diamond" rating, a designation no hotel in Western New York has ever achieved. In addition to suites that range in size up to 2,000 square feet ? bigger than some small homes ? the hotel will feature four restaurants and a day spa.

The casino itself will house 2,000 slot machines and 45 table games, offering 24-hour-aday gambling. Unlike the nation?s Niagara Falls and Salamanca casinos, the Buffalo site will not include venues for live entertainment.

The Senecas expect to hire more than 1,000 employees with an annual payroll exceeding $38 million. They also forecast the city?s share of slot machine revenues, as required under the nation?s gambling compact with New York State, will run as high as $7 million a year.

The gambling/hotel site also will feature a 3-acre public park and an artificial creek to symbolize Buffalo Creek, the project?s namesake.

"When the city reached agreement with the Seneca Nation in October 2006 on the development of Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, I stated that the agreement was good for the City of Buffalo, and today?s announcement reinforces that statement," said Mayor Byron W. Brown, citing the new jobs and fresh revenue source.

Brown urged private-sector investors to take a hard look at other opportunities in the Cobblestone neighborhood to cash in on the momentum the gambling facility is expected to generate.

The unveiling of the permanent casino plans comes as anti-casino forces press ahead with lawsuits aimed at preventing the gambling facility from ever opening its doors.

"The Seneca Nation of Indians can, of course, build whatever it wishes on property that it owns. But there is ongoing litigation in federal court that, if successful, would preclude any gambling operations on the Buffalo property," said Joel S. Rose, co-chairman of Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County.

He said his group has no opposition to construction of a hotel but added, "It is difficult to see how one might have any confidence that an isolated hotel in that location would succeed."

Lawsuits notwithstanding, the Senecas already have spent more than $6 million to build and outfit the 5,000-square-foot temporary casino.

slinstedt@buffnews.com