News out of the "Bay State"
Rumors, meetings, politics, accusations, artist renderings, traffic changes, and money, the economy and jobs.....sounds like something out of the movies. It has been said that true life provides the most drama (well, maybe I just thought I heard that someone told me they heard, which I heard when I said it....oops sorry, a little bird-walk) Casino news continues to pop up on a daily basis. So here are headlines and "brief" content to explain.
I still giggle when I post the word "briefs" (pardon my junior high humor), but full stories would just be too long.
No casino referendum in Springfield on June 2
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno announced Tuesday that negotiations with two prospective casino developers - MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming - will not be completed in time to facilitate a referendum in conjunction with the special election
City officials are in the process of negotiating host community agreements with one or both of the companies that must be approved by the city council and by Springfield voters.
Everett Update - Part 1
Local opponents to casino proposal began to surface, just as they have in every other Massachusetts community that is considering a casino proposal. (Similar reaction is now taking place in New Hampshire)
Two local residents and two non-residents addressed the Board of Aldermen during the public comment period on Monday night to speak out against the resort casino being proposed for Everett by Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn. Each of the speakers noted that they wanted to see more debate and hear more testimony from those who are opposed to casino gambling, and criticized the Aldermen for making room on the agenda to allow casino supporters – Everett United – to address the body.
Everett Update - Part 2
Las Vegas casino operator Steve Wynn would make $30 million in advance payments to the city of Everett and more than $25 million in annual payments once a proposed resort casino was open for business, under a host community agreement announced Thursday by Mayor Carlo DeMaria.
The agreement also includes several other commitments from Wynn, including help in diminishing transportation impacts from a casino project, completing the cleanup of environmental contamination at the proposed site and giving preference to Everett residents in the hiring of an estimated 8,000 permanent and temporary construction jobs for the project.
Everett Update - Part 3 (coming soon)
Will Steve Wynn's riff with his wife bring down the Wynn Financial Empire, causing a demise to this project? (I'm such a tease)
Fireworks in West Springfield
A canceled meeting Wednesday of the Mayor's Casino Advisory Committee has resulted in accusations of playing politics.
Town Councilor Brian J. Griffin said the mayor canceled the meeting for political reasons, and noted that the Mayor's Casino Advisory Committee is chaired by former Town Councilor Edward C. Sullivan, who announced his candidacy for mayor just two days beforehand. “It is clearly politically motivated, causing collateral damage to Hard Rock, the Eastern States Exposition and most important, the Town of West Springfield,” Griffin said. “This is wrong at every level.”
Hard Rock International would like to build an $800 million resort casino complex on the fairgrounds of the Eastern States Exposition and its representatives meet regularly with the Mayor’s Casino Advisory Committee.
Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger countered by accusing Griffin of playing politics. The mayor said he cancelled the meeting because he had concerns he wanted to express before both the advisory committee and Hard Rock at the same time. Neffinger went on to accuse Sullivan and Griffin of pulling a bait and switch because Sullivan announced he was running for mayor Monday during an event that had been billed as Griffin's official announcement of his candidacy for mayor.
A Calmer Approach In West Springfield By Hard Rock International
James F. Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International told a gathering of about 100 people Wednesday that his company has no plans to replace The Big E. The executive used the presentation to dispel what he said is a rumor about the project. He pointed out that Hard Rock only has a lease for 38 acres at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds off Memorial Avenue. “We are guests on this land (a 38-acre site of flat field.),” Allen said. “We did not buy The Big E.”
He also said Hard Rock is eager to get input from the community about its plans and will host many similar presentations. “If it doesn’t work for you as the residents, it certainly does not work for us either,” Allen said.
Traffic Alert on I-91
A planned overhaul of an elevated section of Interstate 91 in Springfield continues to raise questions about access to two proposed downtown casino. MGM is planning an estimated $800 million downtown casino that would front the highway. Penn National Gaming, which is planning an $807 million casino, estimates that 40 percent of its traffic would come from the elevated section of I- 91.Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said traffic plans will be a major factor when awarding licenses, which brings into consideration 3 of the 4 western Mass lincesees - with Mohegan Sun in Palmer offering traffic considerations in a more rural area.
Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said upgrading I-91 always comes into discussions because he wants to make sure smooth transportation continues for businesses and a potential casino. He said he does not believe the highway work would affect attendance or revenue from a casino.
That's all for now, but can't wait to see next week's news!
Binbin
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