MGM is making changes to the resort casino it’s building in Springfield. In previous plans, MGM planned on creating the hotel tower which would house 54 apartments. Retail space will be included on the ground floor.
Advertisement
The East Hartford Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved its proposed casino site, in the hopes that the Connecticut’s two Native American tribes select the city as their third location.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is holding a hearing Thursday on MGM’s proposal to eliminate a 25-story hotel and residential apartments from the $800 million project. He suggested the new design will spur new economic development downtown by encouraging more tourist and visitor traffic on Main Street.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said he was skeptical, at first, but has now tentatively endorsed the changes.
“We have never lost sight of how important it is to integrate our development and its unique design needs with this historic New England downtown”, Mathis said.
The revised plans will need to be submitted to the city of Springfield and to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for their approval. The casino has been delayed at least a year and is now expected to open in September 2018.
Advertisement
State gambling regulators are not guaranteeing they’ll issue the state’s third and final casino license. It also claims to be “ready, willing and able” to compete to build a casino in Connecticut, but was “excluded” by the law.
