Jun 26, 2008 6:30 pm US/Eastern
Contractor: Casino Work Could Stop Monday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) ―
With developer Don Barden struggling to secure the financing needed for his Majestic Star casino on the North Shore, the project could hit another major hurdle in the next few days.
KDKA Investigator Marty Griffin first reported on Tuesday that some workers walked off the job because they said they weren't being paid.
Sources told KDKA that Barden met with contractors – asking them to be patient and would meet with them again on Monday. While the primary contractor made a commitment to stay on the job, our sources confirmed that several others already walked off the job over the issue.
Now the primary contractor, Dan Keating III, of Keating Building Corporation tells the
Associated Press that if financing isn't in place by Monday, work could stop altogether.
Keating told the AP that Barden has been late in paying the contractors and subcontractors. While he said he believes Barden is trustworthy, Keating blamed the lateness on Barden's difficulty putting together the financing package.
The Majestic Star Casino construction project underway on the North Shore is a $750-million project.
Barden spokesman Bob Oltmanns told that AP that he's not sure if the financing will be in place by Monday. Oltmanns said the economy is affecting all casino owners.
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(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
