The 5,000-sq-ft, 20-table poker room will be the largest in Louisiana, according to Caesars. “That allows us to make certain requests, and as long as they’re willing to work with us on miscellaneous tasks that are found throughout the project, we’ll work together to get things done,” he says. Gritter says they’re fortunate to have a good relationship with much of the local subcontractor base. For example, a framer is installing some metal pieces to receive a panel that a mill worker is manufacturing to cover up speaker openings, which is something they may not typically do. With 50-60 workers on site every day, Leibe says they’ve been utilizing overtime and “getting creative” with subcontractors. The team’s flexibility has also compensated for prevalent ongoing workforce challenges.

“It’s the team that makes a difference on that,” Leibe says. The steel erector worked seven-day work weeks to make up for the lost time in the design coordination.Įquipment like lights, sprinkler heads and cameras will be aligned above an aluminum lattice ceiling element with the appearance of wood grain. Chad Leibe, senior superintendent at Ryan Gootee, says the project team is catching up.

Gritter says that may not seem like much, but on a fast-paced project, every day matters to meeting the schedule. The unexpected challenge put them roughly a few days behind schedule. “It’s mutually beneficial for them and us,” Gritter says.īy working with the structural engineer, the contractor developed a plan to continue work, using pieces that had already been manufactured. Greg Gritter, project manager for Ryan Gootee, says the contractors started with a half-mobilization March 7, and then fully mobilized into the space April 7 so the casino could keep revenue-producing games there until after the NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball tournament, which was held in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome. Photo courtesy of Ryan Gootee General ContractorsĬaesars is aiming for substantial completion around Labor Day weekend. Part of the project needed a redesign after the team found the original structural steel plans would not meet curvature requirements for a large display screen. The Metairie, La.-based Ryan Gootee team is handling all the interior renovations, including steel erection, demolition, electrical upgrades, AV installation, mechanical adjustments and new finishes for the 12,000-sq-ft sportsbook and poker room phase of the project. AECOM Tishman is construction manager at-risk on the casino and hotel transformation, in collaboration with longtime Caesars collaborator Ryan Gootee General Contractors LLC.

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