Cleveland Press

Work is expected to begin again soon at the Higbee Building casino. A deal was reached between Gov. John Kasich and the developer, Rock Ohio Caesars that ensures the state will be paid more money. Details of exactly how much more may be released later this week.

Although taxpayers approved the financial deal in 2009, Kasich has insisted that Ohio taxpayers got a bad deal and he aimed to get more out of the casino developers. The governor promised the additional money will go to public education and job training.

The deal confirms that Cleveland’s casino will be set to open in the former Higbee Building early next year. Around 2,000 Cleveland area construction workers will be put to work this year on the casino. The casino is set to provide an additional 1,600 permanent jobs once hiring begins later this year.

On Thursday, Rock Ohio overcame another obstacle when the Cleveland Landmarks Commission approved the demolition of the century-old Columbia Building to make way for more casino parking. Pre-demolition work could begin this week at the Columbia Building.