It has been announced that MGM Resorts International will break ground for its $800-million casino in Springfield, Massachusetts on Tuesday, March 24, at a special ceremony.
The multimillion property is planned to spread over a 14.5-acre site in the southern part of the city, an area that was nearly destroyed by a tornado almost four years ago. Developers stated that the hotel and casino venue will probably open doors sometime in 2017.
Last year, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission granted MGM an integrated resort license for the state’s western part. Later on, it awarded Wynn Resorts with a license for the Boston area. The company has not started the construction of the so-called Everett property yet.
It has also been announced that a casino overlay district, which determines the exact location of the MGM property, will be presented to the Springfield City Council on Monday, March 23. Officials, however, pointed out that it will not be reviewed before the final plans for the site are filed. Once this is done, the Council, led by President Michael Fenton, will schedule a public hearing and members will be given the opportunity to cast their vote on the matter.
Tomorrow’s meeting is scheduled to start at 7 pm and will be held at the City Hall.
Council members will be presented with a recommendation by the Planning Board to give their nod to MGM Springfield, which, as mentioned above, is to spread over 14.5 acres of a three-block casino overlay district.
Mr. Fenton had previously explained that the council will consider the recommendation in question only after the site plans are completed. The project, however, will not be prevented from moving forward.
Kevin Kennedy, a chief development officer of Springfield, shared with media that MGM had already reached a host community agreement with the city and its future property had been reviewed and discussed with both the state’s Gaming Commission as well as with the City Council.
Mr. Kennedy also pointed out that the vote for the district’s approval that would establish the hotel and casino venue’s exact location and boundaries is a really significant step in the process of the completion and the launch of the multimillion project, which is to become the first integrated resort on the territory of Massachusetts.
MGM Springfield will feature a 25-floor, 250-room luxurious hotel, a 125,000-square-foot casino floor, numerous dining and retail options, as well as a wide variety of attractions. A 3,600-space parking will also be part of what the $800-million resort will offer to its visitors and guests.
