Developers of the proposed $650-million hotel and casino property in Brockton, Massachusetts announced that certain changes have been made to the initial zoning plan.
An updated zoning ordinance submitted to city authorities last week suggests that the multimillion project will feature a modern casino complex and a six-story hotel.
Property developer Mass Gaming & Entertainment, known to be an affiliate of Rush Street Gaming, is in charge of the Brockton project. The zoning changes were added to the initial plan. According to it, Rush Street is to build a 250-room hotel, 250,000-square-foot casino floor, conference halls and entertainment facilities, as well as a parking lot with room for 3,000 vehicles.
As previously reported, Brockton is one of the three cities in Massachusetts that are currently competing for casino license in the southeastern part of the state and it is up to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to decide which one will get the nod.
The state gaming regulator is still accepting applications from casino bidders, as developers of the New Bedford and Somerset projects missed the previous deadline.
It has been announced that Brockton residents will be given the opportunity to state their opinion about the casino proposal on May 12, when a citywide vote will be held.
First renderings of the hotel and casino project will be released by the developer on April 9, right before a public meeting with residents and officials. Rush Street explained that the zoning ordinance, called “Resort Casino Overlay District”, only provides the initial contours of what the property might look like, if it gets the necessary approval.
Jack Yunits, former Mayor of Brockton and consultant to the casino project, explained that the hotel might be as tall as 100 feet and will have five or six stories. As for the rest of the buildings, they will be no taller than 65 feet. The property is also expected to feature at least 10% of open space and, as mentioned above, a large multi-level parking.
The zoning plan will first be reviewed by the Brockton Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board. The project also needs a final approval from the City Council.
Officials pointed out that the proposal will be discussed after the May 12 vote, due to the fact that residents might say no to the hotel and casino complex. In this case, the multimillion project will not be allowed to move forward.
