By By Lisa Tindell – news reporter
The proposed rerouting of a county road to accommodate construction for a casino resort facility on the Creek Entertainment Center property raised some concerns and questions Monday.
Escambia County commissioners held a public hearing to discuss the plans to move Escambia County Road 14.
Mark Kennedy, project manager for the proposed Wind Creek Hotel and Casino Resort, said provisions for the costs of moving the service are already in place.
Kennedy said power for the current facility, as well as the proposed facility, is provided by Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
Dan Weaver, system engineer with Southern Pine Electric Cooperative, said the power provider is currently assessing information provided by CEC concerning potential power loads needed by the proposed facility.
Weaver said the costs involved in rerouting service lines and construction of a substation are substantial, but will be worth the expense based on expected use by the facility.
Shirley Darby, a resident in the area along County Road 14 asked about the abandoned road's future once the area is abandoned.
Kennedy said the road would be removed after the opening of the rerouted County Road 14.
Kennedy said the plan has gotten the full support of the officials in the City of Atmore.
Tim Martin, president of Creek Indian Enterprises, said there will be no interruption of traffic service because of the rerouting of the road.
The current location of CEC is already undergoing renovations to prepare for the expansion of the facility. An opening date for the new facility was not made available by officials with Poarch Creek Gaming Authority.