In Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas, the new $350 million Saracen Casino Resort entered its final stage of construction, despite record rainfall and Covid-19-related material delays. Casino officials said they anticipate a soft opening on October 1 with a grand opening on October 20.
City and county leaders recently met with Quapaw Chairman Joseph Tali Byrd, who recently was sworn in as head of the Quapaw Business Committee, the governing body of the Quapaw Nation. Byrd defeated former Chairman John Berrey, who held the position for 20 years, in a July 25 election.
Recently, Byrd made his first visit to Jefferson County to tour the construction site and to meet with county and city officials. He traveled with three members of the seven-member Quapaw Business Committee to meet with, , Rep. Kenneth Ferguson, D-Pine Bluff, and Ryan Watley, director of Go Forward Pine Bluff.
County Judge Gerald Robinson said the meeting was “cordial,” but added he still had some concerns. “I don’t think they have enough experience to step into an operation like that. A transition of this sort at this particular time is not a mixture for success, so I am concerned. A change in leadership at this point in time, to me, it was just not the right time.”
Robinson added he was worried that Berrey may not follow through on certain commitments he made to the county, including financial assistance to build a new county health unit. “There were some things we had asked as far as education, some ventures in the downtown area, some infrastructural things when it came to the city, roads, different things like that they were going to help us out on,” Robinson said.
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington said she also had issues about a new Quapaw administration taking over as the casino is getting ready to open. “I think that is a concern for everybody, but while that’s a concern we still have to be as positive as we can and hope that they can make it.”
Washington said committee members stated, given the investment the Quapaw already made in the project, the tribe was committed to completing it and making it a success. “We have to stay focused and keep pushing. We have to stay as focused and anchored and positive as we can. And I believe they are serious. They’re young, but they’re smart, and I like the fact that Mr. Byrd has casino experience.”
Later, Byrd said the officials’ concerns were understandable, especially considering all the time Berrey had spent in the county. “I know that I’m coming in late for the party and everyone’s wondering, ‘Who the heck is this guy and what’s he about?’ I understand that, but I’m committed to still keeping those relationships and that friendship between all parties. I asked the judge specifically what are the priorities and how can we help, what can we do.”
He added, “This was the first time any of us had met and maybe that was more of an introductory getting to know one another kind of thing with the expectation that we’re going to continue on with further conversations and collaborations with one another.”
After Byrd visited the construction site, he said, “I had some concerns going in to see Saracen for the first time but I was completely blown away, in a good way. To see where we are with the construction phase and to see all of the hands and subcontractors that are working to get this done and off the ground, I was impressed.”
Project Manager Carlton Saffa noted the gaming floor and seven restaurants are in the final stages of completion and the interior is most complete. “The kitchens are being prepped, equipment is being dialed in and our chefs are finalizing their menus. We’ve got all 2,000 slot machines and dozens of table games in the building and our slots team has begun testing the machines. In short, we are long past the point of bringing in building materials. Now we’re bringing in the furniture,” Byrd said.
