MGM Springfield on Tuesday announced some changes to the design plan for its downtown casino project.
Gone is the 25-story glass tower that was to house a 250-room hotel along State Street. A six-story hotel will be built instead along Main Street, with the same number of rooms.
Springfield officials say they were initially skeptical that MGM was pulling back on its commitments to the host community agreement. But Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief economic development officer, says he’s satisfied that isn’t the case.
“As a matter of fact, they committed to us for $800 million when we originally talked about it,” Kennedy says. “And they’re going to end up spending well in excess of that.”
MGM says the revisions are prompted by the casino’s delayed opening due to highway construction, and directives on the use of historic buildings. The company will present the new design plan to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when it meets Thursday in Springfield.
The design changes also call for moving 54 market rate apartments off the casino site, spreading new housing to other parts of downtown. Mayor Domenic Sarno says while the city will carefully review the new plans, he likes what he sees so far.
“This design seems to really highlight more [and] respect the architectural and historic character of Springfield and New England, and also enhances walk-ability throughout the city,” Sarno says.
Sarno says the changes will not affect any financial commitments MGM made to the city under the host community agreement.
The company will present the new design plan to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission when it meets Thursday in Springfield.