A taste of Vegas come to the Lou
By Rodney Crim
For the St. Louis American
I’m not a big gambler. I’m the type who loses $10 and quits while I’m “ahead.” Still, I love Las Vegas. For me, the excitement is just being in Vegas – the energy, the crowds, the shows, the lights.
I feel that same excitement when I drive by the new casino complex underway on Laclede’s Landing. A taste of Las Vegas is coming to the Lou, and with its new luxury hotel, condos, shopping, restaurants and nightspots, things will be rolling on the riverfront.
Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.’s $400 million project, The Casino at Laclede’s Landing, is one of the many great things happening downtown and all over the city. Besides the casino, Pinnacle is bringing a luxury hotel to the city, fine dining, retail stores, and entertainment.
I chaired the process and the city’s selection committee that chose Pinnacle to develop a second gaming spot on the riverfront. I was extremely impressed with the company’s first-rate hotel casino properties in Indiana and Lake Charles, Louisiana. But even more, I felt confident that Pinnacle shared the city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion of African-Americans in every aspect of the development.
I am sure that Pinnacle’s Landing project will be a fabulous addition to the events and attractions that are already drawing residents and tourists to the city and to downtown – and to the new central riverfront plan now being developed. St. Louis will recapture its riverfront like Memphis, Cincinnati and other river cities and make it a focal point for entertainment in the city.
But amidst the fun and games are business opportunities for African Americans, and Mayor Slay’s Office, Jack Thomas of the City’s Compliance Office, and I are working closely with Pinnacle to make sure everybody wins from the ground up.
Since construction began last fall, Pinnacle has utilized black-owned companies for construction management and design services, including Document Imaging Systems, Kwame Building Group, Legacy Building Group, TSI Engineering, and David Mason and Associates. MHR and ADE companies are also serving as minority inclusion consultants.
When the project is finished in 2007, the company will have over 1,300 permanent jobs in the casino, hotel, local office and business operations. Pinnacle is committed to hiring a significant number of African Americans and utilizing black-owned businesses on a regular basis.
Even the entertainment to be offered at the nightspots will be diverse and appealing to everyone.
Pinnacle is providing what the city was looking for: a destination attraction that also provides the city with good jobs and tax revenues. To that, add new opportunities for minority business ownership and growth.
Will Pinnacle live up to its promise? Betcha $10 it will.
Rodney Crim is executive director of the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), the city of St. Louis’ economic development agency.
