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Massachusetts Gaming Commission Expected To Approve MGM Redesign Plan For Springfield Casino

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to formally sign off on MGM’s updated design proposal for its Springfield casino when it meets Thursday morning.

The redesigned project, which includes reducing a 25-story high-rise hotel to a 6-story structure, has already been endorsed by Springfield’s mayor and city council. Gaming Commissioner Bruce Stebbins says the vote is not the end of the conversation with MGM.

“I’m sure we’ll continue to talk to them and the city about where the residential component will be developed, since it won’t be obviously as part of the casino footprint,” says Stebbins.

During the meeting at the MassMutual Center, MGM is scheduled to update the panel on other developments, including efforts to recruit a diverse workforce among their design and construction crews and supply vendors. The casino is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.

MGM officials also plan to update the public on the project at a meeting next Thursday, 19 May, at the Classical Condominiums on State Street. The meeting of the Armoury-Quadrangle Civic Association is at 7pm

The Short List: Above The Fold In 2015, And Looking Forward to 2016

NEPR'S WEEK IN REVIEW

What made The Short List this week?

  • Big Headlines for 2015: Voter Turnout, Viaduct Construction
  • Fewer Headlines in 2015: Chinese-owned CRRC USA Rail Corp., Springfield Historical Commission/Historical Preservation
  • What’s Ahead for 2016? Connecticut’s Third Casino and Springfield’s MGM Casino.

Click the audio player above to hear New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy explore these issues with Matt Szafranski of of the Western Mass Politics & Insight blog and The Reminder’s Mike Dobbs.

MGM Presents Proposed Casino Design Changes To Springfield City Council

MGM says it remains committed to its planned Springfield casino project despite having to adjust to unforeseen circumstances. The company presented city councilors Tuesday night with some proposed design changes that include eliminating a 25-story glass hotel tower.

MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis told councilors delays brought on by the statewide casino referendum and the Interstate-91 viaduct project have considerably driven up the costs associated with building a tower. But he says a six story structure would more ideally suit the boutique hotel concept the company wants to build in the city.

“You can go to any major city and stay in a high-rise tower. Now make no mistake, we believe the tower would have been successful. But the point is that what makes New England and New England cities very unique is to provide a very high end hotel product in a historic Main Street environment,” says Mathis.

Most councilors reserved judgement on the changes until MGM presents a more detailed plan in mid-November. However many councilors, including E. Henry Twiggs, expressed annoyance at Mayor Domenic Sarno and his staff that the council learned of the plan only after it was released to the media and public.

“A couple of us could have gone in on that meeting, but we don’t get the information. But they send it to us at the last moment and want us to be in full agreement. But that ain’t the way it works,” says Twiggs.

City Council President Mike Fenton withdrew a proposal for a  ballot question on the proposed design changes after a disagreement with Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola on a petition deadline.

 

Gaming Commission To Hold Final Public Hearing On MGM’s Springfield Casino Proposal

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is due back in Springfield Wednesday for a final public hearing on MGM’s $800 million casino proposal.

The hearing at the MassMutual Center is a follow up to one last month, and will only consider comments on MGM’s surrounding community agreements with Longmeadow and West Springfield, says commission spokesperson Elaine Driscoll.

“The hearing on April 1st was for any previous surrounding community agreements that had been executed. So this is what would be considered new information since the prior meeting.”

Arbitrators ruled late last month in favor of the towns over MGM’s best-and-final offer for traffic and public safety costs associated with the proposed casino. Driscoll says the commission wants to award the sole western Massachusetts license on June 13th. She says the panel is still considering a request by MGM to delay issuing a final license until after the state’s highest court rules on a ballot question to repeal the casino law.

Wednesday’s public hearing begins at 4pm.

West Springfield To Hold Referendum On Proposed Springfield Casino

After rejecting a plan to host a casino in their city last month, West Springfield voters are heading back to the polls again in November to weigh in on Springfield’s casino proposal. The West Springfield Town Council has unanimously approved a non-binding referendum for November 5th, asking voters if they support MGM’s proposed casino for Springfield.

Councilor John Sweeney says the purpose of the vote is to let the Massachusetts Gaming Commission know how west-siders feel about a casino and its potential spill-over effects on neighboring communities.

“I’m not trying to tell them what to do,” Sweeney says.  “But I think the Gaming Commission should realize that we’re going to get some of the bad as a result of this, and I don’t see us getting any of the good.”

MGM spokesperson Carol Brennan says the company is working with all of Springfield’s neighbors to assess impacts on their communities, including how much they will receive in co-called mitigation funds.

Nevertheless, she says, “It seems shortsighted to ask voters to formulate an opinion prior to having all of the pertinent information, including results from the comprehensive impact studies which are underway.”

There are two other western Massachusetts casino-related votes on November 5th. Longmeadow residents will decide on a citizen petition opposing a Springfield casino at their town meeting. And residents in Palmer will cast a binding vote on Mohegan Sun’s casino proposal for that town.