News Archive
US$2bn casino project loses top team in jet crash
Released on 15/08/2008
A major casino project in the US was dealt a severe blow last month when senior executives from the developer, the construction manager and a key subcontractor all died when their chartered jet crashed in a thunderstorm.
The five men and one woman, key figures in Revel Entertainment’s US$2bn casino and hotel development in Atlantic City, New Jersey (pictured), were travelling to Owatonna in Minnesota to meet with architectural glass supplier Viracon when the jet they chartered crashed at the Owatonna airport at 9:45am on 31st July, killing them and the two pilots.
The victims included Karen Sandland, 44, of Tishman Construction, who was a project manager for the casino. Revel Entertainment lost three executives: Tony Craig, 50, and Chris Daul, 44, both vice presidents of construction development, and Lawrence “Chip” Merrigan, 62, who was Director of Field Operations.
Also killed were two executives from APG International, a specialist façade subcontractor on the project. They were Marc Rosenberg, the company’s chief operating officer, and Alan Barnett, its assistant project manager.
Kevin DeSanctis, CEO of Revel Entertainment, said the company was in shock after the crash. “This is a sad time for Revel Entertainment. These gentlemen were valued for their camaraderie as well as their professional expertise. The loss of their friendship and that of Karen Sandland of Tishman Construction will be keenly felt by all of us here. The company’s priority at this time is to lend what comfort it can to the families of our Revel team and all those aboard yesterday’s flight.”
Revel plans to set up a memorial fund for the families of Tony Craig, Chris Daul, and Chip Merrigan of Revel and Karen Sandland of Tishman.
The Atlantic City development comprises two hotel towers with approximately 1,900 rooms each, 150,000 square feet of casino space and 500,000 square feet of dining, retail and entertainment space including a 5,500 seat theatre, a health club and spa, a meeting space and a one-acre private beach.
Tishman Construction Corporation is construction manager. Arquitectonica is design architect, BLT Architects is Executive Architect and Architect of Record, while SOSH Architects has been named Associate Architect.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board the jet, a Hawker Beechcraft BAE 125-800A, manufactured by Raytheon Corporate Jets and operated by East Coast Jets, crashed at 9:45am on Thursday 31st July during a go-around at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport near Owatonna, Minnesota.
Press reports say severe thunderstorms and winds up to 80 miles per hour were sweeping through the area at the time. The plane apparently landed but crashed at the end of the runway, scattering debris throughout a nearby cornfield.
It had taken off from the Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey earlier that morning.
