Horseshoe Southern Indiana breaks ground on $85 million inland expansion

Horseshoe Southern Indiana recently broke ground on a project that will move the riverboat-based 93,000 square-foot gambling operation, which has been at its current location for two decades, onto dry land. The move is courtesy of the 2015 legislation that allows Indiana riverboat casinos to relocate ashore so long as they do not stray from their existing footprints.

The News and Tribune newspaper reports that, while the official groundbreaking for the gambling venue’s inland expansion took place on June 13, work had already begun on the existing facility located along State Road 111 in northeastern Posey Township, Harrison County.

Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Caesars Entertainment Corporation-operated facility, Brad Seigel, said during the groundbreaking ceremony, “In November 2018, Horseshoe Southern Indiana will celebrate its 20th anniversary here at this location and as we enter our third decade of operations we will be evolving, taking advantage of legislative changes to better serve our customers and create the most dynamic gaming experience and gaming destination in Kentuckiana,” according to the news agency.

With an estimated completion date during the second half of next year, the new look of Horseshoe Southern Indiana (formerly Caesars Indiana) will reportedly have upwards of 100,000 square-feet of gaming, entertainment, dining and retail all in one location. Seigel said, “It will become much more convenient to our hotel, our parking garages for our guests.”

The project, estimated at a cost of around $85 million, reportedly received unanimous approval from the Indiana Gaming Commission on April 24, 2018.

According to the report, the four-deck riverboat casino and hotel, which is situated outside the community of Elizabeth, Indiana, at the Harrison County line, will remain operational during the new build.

Willie Harmon, of the firm behind the project, Harmon Brown reportedly communicated that the construction will take 18 months to be completed and utilize between 50 and 100 workers during peak times. Two years ago, the company also reportedly completed renovations on the gambling venue’s hotel rooms.

At the time of the groundbreaking, Harmon reportedly said, “I’m sure most of the folks here think the work starts today but we have a big crew that has been working their tails off already.” According to the new outlet, he said that crew members had already begun work on the existing facility, such as selective demolition and getting the building prepared for the upcoming construction.

Kenny Saulman, Harrison County Commissioners President, communicated that he sees the project as the casino’s renewed commitment to the community and made mention of numerous projects over the past two decades that have been made possible by tax revenue and funding from the riverboat enterprise.

Referencing the 1994 vote, which enabled the casino to be built, Saulman said, “It’s unlikely at any time anyone truly appreciated the impact that that decision would have on Harrison County.” He added, “In 24 years since that day, it is nothing short of remarkable the impact that Horseshoe has had on Harrison County.”