The new $75 million Casino Queen entertainment complex in East St. Louis will replace the existing Casino Queen that is moored along the eastern shore of the Mississippi River. It will be the first land-based "boat in a moat" casino in Illinois. The 236,000-square-foot facility is expected to open for business during the summer of 2007.

The two-level, tilt-up concrete building with a steel roof will feature 22-foot-high ceilings, a new 38,000-square-foot gaming floor (10,000 square feet larger than the current gambling area), a buffet restaurant, a casual café, a steakhouse, a VIP lounge and a stage bar.

Purpose and Need
The casino hotel is the first major hotel development in East St. Louis since the 1960s. The Casino Queen expansion project will bring new life to the vacant riverfront and will serve as a catalyst for future economic development in East St. Louis. The casino is also the largest contributor to the city's revenue funds and is the largest private employer in the city, offering jobs to more than 1,100 individuals.

Description of Services :

Geotechnical
SCI conducted a subsurface exploration and prepared a geotechnical report for the Casino Queen facility. A total of 11 borings were drilled. SCI evaluated the soil samples, noting seismic considerations and liquefaction potential, and provided recommendations. Our analysis indicated that ground improvement would be less expensive by minimizing the treatment of existing fill and reducing the risk of liquefaction.

Cultural Resource Services
SCI performed a Phase One Cultural Resource survey within the project area due to IEPA permitting requirement regarding watermain relocation for the Casino Queen expansion and parking garage. The entire area was previously disturbed by a former water retention pond, a parking lot, and various underground utilities. SCI complied data on the disturbance, including photographs, and submitted the information to the IHPA to acquire a clearance letter.

Construction Services
SCI provided construction observation and material testing services for the proposed casino and support areas to assess compliance with project plans and specifications. Services included construction inspection of the ground aggregate materials placed on the project, as well as observation and testing of structural steel, fireproofing, and masonry.

Environmental Services
SCI conducted Phase Two Environmental Site Assessments of the Casino Queen Hotel expansion area and the Starr property (Broadway and Front Streets) to evaluate the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lead impact to the soil and groundwater. Soil samples were submitted to the U.S. EPA for analytical testing and laboratory results were summarized and compared to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Tier I Soil Remediation Objectives.

SCI also prepared a Soil Management Plan to assist properly managing the potentially impacted soil on the site during construction. This plan included a summary of the materials to be managed, maps identifying the areas of concern, proposed soil management practices, confirmatory analytical testing procedures and discussion of the final disposition of soils. Construction worker health and safety issues were also discussed.