Companies Learn Racino Contract Opportunities
NILES, Ohio – Bids are due in the next two weeks for several key components of the Hollywood Slots at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Austintown, including concrete, structural steel, grading, elevators and escalators and rooftop equipment, an official with the construction manager for the $125 million project said.
The project is in the design development phase with the architects and engineers, and the scope, schedule and budget are being refined for the 1-mile thoroughbred race track and gaming center, said Bob Hennessey, site superintendent with Turner Construction, Cleveland.
Hennessey was among the representatives from Turner and Penn National Gaming Inc., the Wyomissing, Pa. company developing the complex, who met Thursday with local contractors and vendors interested in providing goods and services for the project, targeted to open in the second quarter of 2014. The community outreach event was held at Ciminero's Banquet Center and was hosted by Penn National, Turner and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
“Penn National has a strong emphasis on involving the local community on each project they do,” emphasized Geoff Moore, project executive at Turner Construction. “It’s absolutely a priority of ours,” he said.
Upcoming bid opportunities in the next few months include kitchen equipment, beverage distribution, final site grading and utilities, site electric, paving, construction of the track, barns and support buildings, and building interiors.
“This is an opportunity for relationships,” Hennessey said. Once a vendor is prequalified for Turner, that information is available to the construction firm’s other offices. “We’re in construction. We go where the work is,” he said.
Turner’s Moore also noted that while the company doesn’t specify prevailing wages will be paid, he described the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway that his company recently completed for Penn National as a “99% union” project.
“What we’re looking for is the most qualified contractors and we want to award the work to the best contractor for each particular trade package,” he said.
Penn National doesn’t have “hard and fast goals” for local participation “but we do a lot of business in the local community,” said Michael Randazzo, Penn National purchasing manager.
“We do have a successful track record across the country -- a large portion of our purchases are bought locally,” Randazzo added, although some items, such as the slot machines, come directly from the manufacturer. Local opportunities for supplying the completed racino include food and beverage items and supplies, and chemical supplies.
Interested contractors and suppliers can register through the Penn National and Turner websites.
Representatives of local companies who attended Thursday’s meeting appeared optimistic about the project and their prospects for getting contracts. About 140 local business people participated.
“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of local contractors,” said Tim Bowell, general manager of Ackworth Construction, Poland, a general contractor that does roofing, siding, and some concrete and electrical work. “I don’t think the qualification process is going to be too difficult. As long as you’re a reputable local company and employ local people, it’ll be okay.”
Bowell noted that large companies typically budget for prevailing wages “and if they come in a little lower, they get lucky and they make a little more for themselves.”
Reese Tool & Supply Co., Warren, which also operates a steel service center, would likely serve as a Tier 2 supplier, owner Mary Alice Reese said. “I think it’s good for the area and there’s opportunities for companies to get involved,” she said. “They seem to want local representation.”
Michele Janci, area catering sales manager for Quaker Steak & Lube, which has a restaurant north of the track site off Route 46, says she hopes to get a catering contract for the construction, which could involve 1,000 workers. “And once the facility opens, we’re hoping the influx of travelers to that exit will come to our restaurant,” she said.
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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