Michael Fenton, President of the Springfield City Council, announced that the city representatives are about to make important decisions regarding the proposed design changes and site plans for MGM Springfield casino construction.
Mr. Fenton called for thoughtfulness and fair decisions, which will be made via a series of council meetings, the first of which is scheduled for January 19th at the City Hall. During the meeting, representatives of MGM Springfield, city residents as well as consultants, appointed to solve eventual casino-construction issues, are to take written and oral testimony.
The fate of the $950 million project is to be announced on January 26 when the City Council is expected to cast light on the design changes and site plans. Meanwhile, subsequent meetings are scheduled for 20th and 25th January, respectively. Each meeting will last no more than an hour and a half.
Mr. Fenton added that the scheduled hearings will contribute to the wise decisions and thoughtful deliberations. During today’s meeting, attendees will have 90 minutes to discuss casino design features such as the landscaping, the casino layout, lighting and traffic issues that are likely to arise.
During the next meetings, the closure of the streets in the casino area is to be taken into consideration. The last scheduled meeting is to be held on 26th January at City Hall.
All decisions made during the meetings and all design alterations and street closures have to get the council approval. It is important to know that no public hearing is scheduled for the final meeting, but councillors are to ask MGM representatives questions on behalf of the residents and city consultants.
According to the design changes, put forward by MGM, the proposed 25-story hotel is to be substituted by a 6-story one. The accommodation facility will retain its four-star category, though.
Prior to the council meeting, supposed to kick off in a couple of hours, city councillors have the chance to visit the three-block site of MGM. Michael Mathis himself is expected to be among the attendees and provide elected officials with accurate information regarding the MGM Springfield casino project.
Michael Fenton and Domenic Sarno, the Springfield Mayor, are to take the tour and discuss the problematic areas after that.
MGM was the company given the nod to start the construction of a casino venue in the western part of Massachusetts. The demolition of old buildings has already started. The former elementary school is to be replaced by a parking area. The casino is scheduled to host its first visitors in 2018.
