In a Friday morning press conference, Seneca Nation of Indians leaders along with Seneca Gaming Corp. announced a $40 million renovation and beautification project that will reportedly change dramatically the east side entryway and lobby areas of the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

In a statement, Seneca Nation President Todd Gates said, “We have long viewed our Niagara Territory, and this vantage point of Seneca Niagara in particular, as standing at the front door to Niagara Falls. As more and more people visit our resort and discover – and rediscover – the wonders of Niagara, we want to make an immediate impression on them,” according to NewYorkUpstate.com citing a news release from the Seneca Nation of Indians.

Local media outlets report that the project in its entirety at the 15-year-old resort property is expected to be completed prior to fall 2019 and with reportedly “minimal disruptions” to casino operations and guests.

The renovation will reportedly bring the Senecas total investment in the downtown Niagara Falls, New York, property to upwards of $600 million. Dubbed the Seneca Arrival Experience, the aim of which is to “make an immediate impression on the many travelers who enter Niagara Falls via the Robert Moses Parkway,” according to the news agency.

Over the past 15 years, the Seneca Nation has chartered the course and made significant investments to bring people and jobs to Niagara Falls,” said Gates. “By making this latest investment, we are again letting the world know that there is something exciting and special for them to enjoy here.”

Exterior renovations on the multiphase project reportedly include the creation of a “flowing, landscaped entry boulevard” approaching the casino from John Daly Boulevard and extensive landscaping, complete with sculpture features. There will also be a new covered entryway and glass façade.

The Buffalo News reports that work on the staging area outside has already begun, while in June intensive parking area work will start, with a May 2019 completion date targeted.

For the interior portion of the project, which will begin in July, the lobby will be reimagined to include the relocation of the lobby bar closer to the casino entrance. The casino entrance itself will be relocated to an area that is closer to the main hotel entrance, and VIP areas and guest registration will be moved into the center of the lobby. The interior work is expected to be completed by fall 2019.

According to the news outlets, improvements to the facility’s off-lobby restaurants; Three Sisters Café, La Cascata, Koi and Morrie’s Express, may be included in future renovations.

The Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino offers 100 table games, including a 16-table poker room, and more than 3,300 reel and video slot machines, along with nine eateries, five bars & lounges and a 26-story, 604-room hotel with AAA Four Diamond certification and plenty of amenities.

In addition to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino, the Seneca Nation operates the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino in Salamanca and Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo.