Verona, New York will soon be the unlikely home to the biggest conference space in all of New York State, courtesy of Turning Stone Resort Casino.
There’s an old saying in construction: “when you see the steel, the project is real.” That’s the case for the $370 million renovation now underway at Turning Stone, as 78 tons of steel have arrived on-site to signal the start of this significant expansion.
Turning Stone Resort Casino is owned and operated by Oneida Indian Nation. It opened more than three decades ago, in 1993, and this project marks the first major re-development of the venue.
Oneida Indian Nation leaders call this effort “Turning Stone Evolution,” and it truly will be for the resort casino destination in central New York, located just east of Syracuse. The goal is to transform Turning Stone into “the largest conference destination in Upstate New York,” according to the tribal nation.
What is coming from development project
Four main additions are coming in this renovation of Turning Stone Resort Casino:
- The Grand Expo: a massive 165,000-square-foot conference facility that can accommodate indoor and outdoor events
- The Crescent Hotel: new hotel with 258 guest rooms, suites, and retail spaces
- Salt Seafood & Raw Bar: yet another fine dining option
- Expansive Parking Garage: An additional 1,500 parking spaces, which will double current parking occupancy for visitors
There will be no impact on the gaming floor and gaming space, which remain open during the project. This development is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
Project to help over two dozen local businesses
According to the Oneida Indian Nation, 26 regional businesses from upstate and central New York have been awarded contracts to work on the project. That includes the general contractor, The Hayner Hoyt Corporation of Syracuse.
Ray Halbritter, Oneida India Nation Representative and Turning Stone Enterprises CEO, expressed his excitement for the project in a statement.
“As the Turning Stone Evolution continues to transform the resort, it is also transforming our role as an economic engine for Upstate New York. Partnerships with our region’s businesses have always been essential to [the] growth and success [of Turning Stone], and we are thrilled to expand these partnerships as the Evolution creates new opportunities today and for generations to come.”
A few of the NY-based companies that have garnered contracts include:
- Casler Masonry of Auburn
- M&S Fire Protection (East Syracuse)
- G.C. Zarnas & Company, Inc. (located in Bethlehem)
- Flower City Glass Co. of NY (Rochester)
- Bruce Electric in East Syracuse
- Edward Schalk & Son, Inc., also of East Syracuse
The Oneida Indian Nation website says 3,500 construction and “related jobs” will be created for the Turning Stone project. It will also result in hundreds of permanent jobs for area residents and generate an estimated $22 million in tax revenue for the local and state governments.
