MGM wants to replicate the facade of the former Howard Street YWCA, demolishing the building in place of a cul-du-sac. The historical commission deadlocked on the plan with a tie vote, and then at MGM’s request, reconsidered the decision. That too failed with 3 in favor and 3 against. Prior to the second vote, City Solicitor Ed Pikula advised the board that any delay in the casino project could cost the city money–advice that was summarily rejected by commission Chair Ralph Slate.

“The the fact that we’ve been doing this now for several years and there have been delays that have not been our fault, I can’t see how we could possibly be jeopardizing it and how that could be used to strongarm us to say ‘you need to vote for this or else the city is going to lose money,” Slate says.

The fate of the Howard Street property now falls to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.