Leaders from the Seneca Nation of Indians and Seneca Gaming Corporation today announced plans to build a $40 million expansion at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. The announcement followed formal approval of the project by the Seneca Nation Council earlier today.
Plans call for a two-story expansion of the existing casino, adding approximately 28,500 square feet of space on two levels. The ground floor will add 360 additional slot machines and ten additional table games, including a high limit room and non-smoking area, as well as a small performance stage for live entertainment at Stixx Sports Bar, retail space, and a new twist to the popular Buffalo Savors Grill.
The second floor of the expansion will introduce a Western Door Steakhouse concept restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, as well as banquet and meeting space. The Western Door Steakhouse is known as the signature restaurant at Seneca Gaming’s two resort properties in Niagara Falls and Salamanca.
“Eight years ago, the Seneca Nation invested in our Buffalo Creek Territory when little else was taking place around us to draw people to the Inner Harbor area of downtown Buffalo,” said Seneca Nation President Maurice A. John, Sr, referring to the opening of the original Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in 2007. “An unprecedented wave of development, momentum, investment and growth followed. Today, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is at the epicenter for excitement in Buffalo.”
Construction is expected to start in mid-October and be completed in early 2017. The project will dramatically increase Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino’s workforce, bringing an estimated 300 new jobs to downtown Buffalo.
The expansion announcement comes nearly two years to the day after the Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation opened the $130 million permanent casino property, on August 8, 2013. According to Seneca Gaming Corporation officials, the vision for the expansion project was driven in large part by guest response.
The expansion will be physically built on the west side of the existing casino, stretching toward South Park Avenue. Once completed, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino will offer guests a total of 1,200 slot machines and 32 table games. The project is being designed by the Hnedak Bobo Group, which designed the permanent casino complex, and Seneca Construction Management Corporation will act as the construction manager.