Groundbreaking set for Westmoreland Mall casino

More than a year since a new mini casino at Westmoreland Mall was proposed, construction crews will start work in Hempfield next month.

Work on the the 100,000-square-foot casino dubbed “Live! Casino Pittsburgh” will begin Nov. 13, making room for 750 slot machines and 30 table games, a sportsbook area, restaurant and entertainment venues.

A groundbreaking event will feature officials from Maryland-based Cordish Companies, which owns Stadium Casino, the company granted the $40 million gaming license in July 2018, along with local and regional elected officials.

The casino, slated to open next summer in the former Bon-Ton space, received its final license from state gaming officials in August. Pittsburgh-based Mascaro Construction Co. has been hired as the general contractor for the $150 million casino project, Cordish officials announced Wednesday.

“We are excited for this opportunity to work with The Cordish Companies, one of the preeminent gaming and hospitality developers in the nation, on building this distinctive entertainment destination within the Westmoreland Mall,” John C. Mascaro Jr., president and CEO at Mascaro Construction, said in a statement. “Our 30-plus years of expertise within the market has prepared us to carry out the vision for Live! Casino and deliver a great new experience to the Westmoreland County community.”

Mascaro has done work for the National Aviary, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Heinz Hall, the World War II memorial on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, Heinz Field expansions, PNC Park and universities and medical buildings, according to the company website.

“When it came time to select a general contractor for Live! Casino, it was clear to us that working with Mascaro was a natural fit,” Reed Cordish, principal at The Cordish Companies, said in the release. “Their team is local, knowledgeable, experienced, shares a similar dedication to excellence and understands our vision for this unique gaming, dining and entertainment destination. We look forward to working with them.”

Stacey Keating, spokesperson for CBL Properties — the entity that owns Westmoreland and Monroeville malls — said the casino will spur development and encourage people to spend time at Westmoreland Mall.

“Live! Casino Pittsburgh at Westmoreland Mall will have a tremendous positive impact on the mall and the surrounding area,” she said. “Once completed, this addition will dramatically transform the property and serve as a catalyst for future development.”

Hundreds of pages of detailed plans for the casino sent to Hempfield officials this year show table games lining the center of the first floor from the main entrance to the mall access. Slot machines fill the remaining space. A bar is located to the left, with a high-limit betting area on the right, those plans show.

The second floor has space for a banquet hall, restaurant, sports bar and nightlife. Three main bars are located across the floor, with room for a bowling alley and golf space in the sports area. The nightlife spot shows VIP tables, a saloon bar, a mechanical bull pit and a dance floor. Extra space on the second floor is marked “future event” on the plans.

Once completed, the casino is expected to generate $188 million in annual economic impact along with an additional $148 million in economic impact from construction, which will bring about 960 direct and indirect jobs to the area. About 500 permanent jobs are expected once the casino opens with average annual wages of $43,000.

A timeline for construction has not been revealed, but mall officials started demolition inside the store in April.