Springfield Mayor Will Negotiate With MGM And Penn
Feb 12, 2013 (Menafn - The Hartford Courant - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Two proposals for a casino in downtown Springfield have advanced to the next stage of negotiations with city officials and one or both plans could appear on a citywide referendum ballot as early as late June.
After consulting with two advisory committees and consultants, Springfield Mayor Dominic J. Sarno said Monday that proposals by Penn National Gaming and MGM Resorts International merit further study, according to the city's chief development officer, Kevin E. Kennedy.
Kennedy said the city will now negotiate details with each developer that include how much the city will reap in property taxes and how the developers will deal with the potential impact on city services and other issues, Kennedy said.
Both Penn and MGM are proposing 800 million developments on different ends of downtown, along I-91.
The next step will take six to eight weeks to complete, and Sarno would then recommend one or both proposals to the city council. The council would then approve one or both proposals for the referendum, possibly as early as June 25. A vote is being held then to fill the seat vacated by former Sen. John Kerry, recently confirmed for the post of Secretary of State in the Obama cabinet.
Even if one proposal is backed by Springfield voters, it doesn't necessarily mean a casino will be constructed in the city.
Two other companies also are vying to build a casino in western Massachusetts, which includes Springfield, and only one will be chosen by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for a license.
Hard Rock International proposed a 700 million casino on the grounds of the Eastern States Expo, home of the Big E, and The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which runs Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, proposed a 600 million casino on 152 acres in Palmer, close to the Massachusetts Turnpike.
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