Demolition for the new mini casino has started inside the former Bon-Ton store at Westmoreland Mall, according to Patrick Karnash, Hempfield’s planning coordinator.
Plans for the proposed $131 million casino show about 750 slot machines and 30 table games for the 100,000-square-foot space. Stadium Casino LLC purchased a $40.1 million license for the mini casino last year.
“The project as a whole is moving forward, and we will start seeing some community involvement from them in the next couple of months I suspect,” Karnash wrote in an email to the Tribune-Review, adding the township will have specific details on construction or exterior buildout once plans are submitted.
In a meeting with the township and the Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based group developing the casino, officials conceptually discussed attending community events and setting up public input meetings. Karnash said officials also considered setting up training sessions for staff.
He added casino officials will likely have a more concrete plan this summer.
In a meeting with the Cordish Companies last December, members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board heard ideas from business leaders, lawmakers and residents.
Another meeting will be held for the board to approve or reject the project. A date has not been set for the meeting.
It is not clear when public meetings could be held with casino officials. Members of the Cordish Companies were not available for comment.
The possibility of the casino also makes space for potential new restaurants and nightlife. Guy Fieri’s Taco Joint could be one of the options moving forward, along with a nightlife venue and an area for sports betting.
