Part of Cincinnati Slot Barn being demolished

Part of Cincinnati casino being demolished
Staff Report

CINCINNATI — Workers are demolishing a portion of the Cincinnati casino that collapsed last week, injuring 13 construction employees.

City officials gave permission to the developer, Rock Ohio Caesars LLC, to demolish the 60-by-60-foot space on what will be the casino’s second floor. The city and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration have completed their on-site investigation of the Jan. 27 accident, but the overall investigation could continue for months.

A steel beam’s collapse caused steel corrugated flooring to fall, taking the construction workers to the ground with it, city officials said.

Messer Construction Co., general contractor for the $400 million Horseshoe Casino project near downtown Cincinnati, is to rebuild the area being demolished. Messer resumed construction work earlier this week on the rest of the project.

Rock Ohio Caesars still hopes to complete construction in spring 2013. The joint-venture company also is developing Cleveland’s Horseshoe Casino. They are among four casinos authorized in 2009 by Ohio voters for Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Cincinnati.