New Bedford officials as well as real estate developer KG Urban, which is interested in building a $500-million hotel and casino resort on the city’s waterfront, asked the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for yet another extension of the application deadline, which was set for Monday, March 16.
Andrew Paven, a spokesperson for the New York-based real estate developer, shared that city officials and the company have asked together for an extension of the deadline. He stated that they will attend the meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, and during which the state gaming regulator will discuss the already submitted applications.
On Friday, March 13, both KG Urban and New Bedford officials sent a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, in which they requested a 45-day extension of the deadline. The letter said that the developer needs a bit more time to settle matters related to the project’s funding.
Back in 2013, KG Urban proposed to build its casino venue on the New Bedford waterfront. Yet, not a fortnight ago, the office of Mayor Jon Mitchell suggested that the property might be moved a little further from the coast. City officials and developer representatives are still discussing the potential site of the gambling venue.
As previously reported, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will grant one casino license for the state’s southeastern part, which is officially referred to as Region C. Somerset on the Move and Crossroads Massachusetts, the applicants that have expressed interest in building a joint-owned gambling property in Somerset, also requested an extension of the deadline. Representatives of the two business entities will probably attend the meeting on Thursday.
Brockton is the third city where a casino might be built. Project developers managed to submit their application right on time. Furthermore, city residents will be given the opportunity to express their opinion about the $650-million project on May 12, when a vote on the matter is scheduled to take place.
Elaine Driscoll, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, shared with media that they will discuss a potential deadline extension during the meeting.
Previously, the application deadline was set for January 30, but was extended, due to a request by KG Urban. The Gaming Commission decided to give the Somerset and New Bedford bidders until March 16, to file their applications.
The New York-based developer is yet to complete a host community agreement with city officials and to determine when residents will be given the opportunity to cast their vote on the casino project.
The Gaming Commission has set a May 26 deadline for the submission of the completed host community agreement and the results from a citywide referendum.
