TIVERTON – A doubling of the project cost for the Twin River Tiverton Casino has prompted the casino owner to update the anticipated economic impacts, including employment figures.
The casino and hotel, now under construction near the Massachusetts line, are expected to cost $140 million, up from the $67 million estimated when the project received voter authorization last year. The construction is privately financed, although the addition of a new gaming venue required voter approval.
The economic impact – updated to reflect the increased construction costs – is now $118 million for both the casino and hotel buildings, which have created jobs for 700 construction workers.
The combined direct and indirect benefits of the construction are now projected at 1,111 jobs and $183.1 million in economic activity, according to a report issued Monday.
The factors that resulted in the dramatic increase in cost include design changes and site conditions, according to a spokeswoman for casino owner, the Twin River Management Group. The changes include:
- The surface parking area originally planned for the casino has been replaced by a two-level parking structure, which is partially underground. This was done to reduce the footprint of the development and minimize impact on nearby wetlands.
- Preparation of the development site was hampered by the presence of ledge, which necessitated blasting.
- In addition to the casino buildings, the developer is creating walkways and trails on the undeveloped portion of the site. The presence of wetlands has required walkways to not disturb these areas.
- A design change that moved some functions, including offices, from the gaming floor to the mezzanine level of the casino building.
None of the changes has resulted in a footprint change for the development, and at this point, according to spokeswoman Patti Doyle, it is not expected to affect the opening date.
A year ago, Twin River executives expected the casino would open in mid-2018. The opening is now expected Oct. 1, 2018, Doyle said. The company should have a more definitive finish date in December, once the casino building is enclosed, she said.
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryF_MacDonald.
