Isle of Capri announces contractors for Cape Girardeau casino project

A Mississippi company and St. Louis company are teaming up to coordinate construction of Isle of Capri's $125 million Cape Girardeau casino.

Isle confirmed the selection of Roy Anderson Corp. of Gulfport, Miss., and S.M. Wilson & Co. of St. Louis as the general contractors in a news release Monday.

The "joint venture team" will be responsible for all aspects of the casino project, including bidding, management and coordination of subcontractors and suppliers.

Roy Anderson Corp. has worked on several Isle of Capri Casino and hotel projects in the past, said Jill Alexander, Isle spokeswoman. It has built eight other casino complexes in Mississippi and Louisiana, according to its website.

The Southeast Missourian reported earlier this month that two local companies, Penzel Construction of Jackson and Kiefner Bros. of Cape Girardeau were two of the three finalists for the high-dollar contract.

Alexander said it is Isle's policy not to disclose information on unsuccessful bidders and would not confirm that.

The selection of Roy Anderson Corp and S.M. Wilson & Co. is subject to finalizing contracts; however, they will start managing the project immediately. The companies should have about 10 employees at the construction site off North Main Street by next month.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger said that while the general contractors are out-of-town companies, he believes they will employ many local people during the construction process.

"I'm sure by far the majority of the work done will be using local contractors and local workmen," Rediger said.

Isle also announced Monday that it has hired Nip Kelly Equipment of Cape Girardeau as the site preparation contractor. Nip Kelly will be responsible for grading, utilities, concrete work, paving and site lighting.

The company has already been working at the site with Fronabarger Concreters of Oak Ridge, which was awarded the contract to realign North Main Street around the casino site.

Other local contractors involved in the roadwork project include Apex Paving, Cotner Electric, Monroe Plumbing and Roadrunner Safety.

To date, Isle has awarded more than $8 million in construction work to Cape Girardeau-area contractors, said Dick Meister, Isle's vice president of design and construction.

"The company continues to focus on the inclusion of area tradespeople as an important consideration in the selection of subcontractors," Meister said.

Since work began at the site, about 30 local jobs have been created, Alexander said.

Site preparation and roadwork is proceeding on schedule, Meister said.

Work on the basin, which will hold the floating casino floor, is tentatively scheduled to begin by mid-July.

The casino complex, scheduled to open late next year, will include 1,000 slot machines, 28 table games, several restaurants and a 750-seat entertainment complex.

mmiller@semissourian.com

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777 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO