Tule River Tribe picks Hill International to relocate Eagle Mountain Casino

US-based construction management firm Hill International announced August 17 that it was awarded a contract by the Tule River Tribe Gaming Authority to provide owner’s representative services for Phase 1 of the relocation of the Eagle Mountain Casino.

The firm will support the project, which is valued at $200 million, and will move casino operations to a new site approximately 17 miles from the current location.

As part of its first phase, initial work includes building a new 2,000-seat event center, River Steak House, coffee house, 24-hour diner, sports bar and grill, and gaming spaces for 1,750 slot machines and 20 table games. A 125 room hotel is expected to be built in the second phase.

@Hillintl will be providing OR services for Phase 1 of the relocation of the Tule River Tribe Gaming Authority’s Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville, CA. Read more about the project and Hill’s experience delivering Native American projects here: https://t.co/bRGXQjXoeG pic.twitter.com/4Ib7eiUYLD

— Hill International (@Hillintl) August 17, 2021

Hill Chief Executive Office Raouf Ghali said the company specializes in work in the casino and resort sectors and that they are “ready to assist clients like the Tule River Tribe Gaming Authority” to realize their projects during this time of recovery.

The services that Hill will provide encompass construction management, scheduling, estimating and cost management, quality control, planning and coordination with third-party providers, and contract administration, among others.

“This project shows the strength of the Eagle Mountain Casino experience specifically and the return of tourism in general as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Hill Vice President, Native American Program Services Henry Corken.

The casino will be relocated to its new location near the Porterville airport, off of Highway 65, and broke ground in April. It is slated to open in December of 2022.

The casino is expected to create more than 300 construction jobs and an additional 200 in casino operations; while the relocation will offer a more centralized location for casino guests.

Eagle Mountain Casino’s General Manager Matthew Mingrone said earlier this year: “It’s more than just slot machines and table games,” citing the process as essential to the well-being of the tribal members.

The relocation from the Tule River Indian Reservation to the City of Porterville is also expected to free up the reservation’s limited water supply for residents, as well as report significant economic benefits and public safety and community improvements.