The Tejon Tribe of California, with its development partner Hard Rock, has announced the construction teams that will build the $600m casino and hotel near Highway 99 south of Bakersfield.
In a press release the tribe revealed that Las Vegas-based architect, Klai Juba Wald, will helm the project while Los-Angeles based developer The PENTA Building Group will act as the casino’s general contractor. Friedmutter Group Architecture & Interior Design Studios will also play a role in designing the new property.
Should California Governor Gavin Newsom green light the casino, the project is expected to begin construction within the next year and be completed in 18 months.
Plans for the project began in 2012 when the tribe received federal recognition. Since then, the Tejon Tribe has partnered with Hard Rock International to help run the casino-hotel. It will include an 11-story hotel with 400 rooms and 166,500ft gaming floor.
Plans also suggest an event center, restaurants and an RV park will be included in the project.
The tribe also stressed the importance of using local business for the project, with chairman Octavio Escobedo commenting: “Rest assured local subcontractors, suppliers, vendors, local building trades and organized labor will be part of the construction of our project. Thousands of permanent jobs and millions of dollars spent with local vendors will continue to enhance the local economy for years to come."
The project will be built on 52 acres owned by the tribe in South Sabodan.
On PENTA, Escobedo added that the company has “deep knowledge of the local and regional subcontractors and building trades we will need to build our project."
