Developers of the $650-million project for the construction of a casino resort on the New Bedford waterfront cleared yet another hurdle on Tuesday, June 23, when a citywide vote was held. Residents of the city approved overwhelmingly the plan.
According to the information posted on New Bedford’s official website, 73% of all the people who cast their vote yesterday voted in favor of the casino. A total of 11,395 went to the polls. Of those, 8,355 answered ‘yes’ on the question: Shall the City of New Bedford permit the operation of a gaming establishment licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be located on approximately 43 acres of land located off of MacArthur Drive, which land includes the former Cannon Street power station?
KG Urban Enterprises, a developer based in New York, is planning to build a Foxwoods-run casino property on the site of a former power plant. The company has previously pointed out that it plans to preserve parts of the plant, its smokestack included. In addition, it would add a public harborwalk and other connections that would make it possible for visitors to access the resort more easily.
The New Bedford residents’ approval of the multimillion project was crucial, as the city is currently competing for the sole casino license for Southeastern Massachusetts, or Region C, as it is formally referred to.
A $650-million project for the establishment of a gambling venue on the Brockton Fairgrounds is the other competitor for the license. In May, residents of the city approved narrowly the plan.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is to announce its decision on which one of the two bidders is to be awarded the license by the end of the year.
After the vote, New Bedford residents commented that the potential new casino would create almost 6,000 jobs in an area that is known for having some of the highest unemployment rates in Massachusetts.
Despite the overwhelming approval, the major development has faced certain opposition as well. Some consider that a new casino in the area would result in increased traffic and crime. In addition, leaders of New Bedford’s fishing industry voiced concerns that the casino might affect their trade in a negative manner.
The New Bedford casino vote was part of quite an eventful week for Massachusetts’ gambling industry. The state is to launch Plainridge Park Casino later today. The venue is to feature 1,250 slot machines and a number of electronic table games.
If KG Urban is granted the casino license, it would contribute to New Bedford $4.5 million in initial payments. Furthermore, the developer would annually pay no less than $12.5 million once the resort opens doors. Additional money will be spent on waterfront improvements and environmental cleanup of the area.
