An artist\u2019s rendering of the MGM Springfield which held its \u201ctopping off\u201d ceremony this week. Despite a redesign, the property is scheduled to open for business some time next year. (Image: MGM Resorts International)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe city\u2019s mayor, Domenic Sarno, has billed the casino as a crucial piece of economic redevelopment for Springfield\u2019s tornado-ravaged South End.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nPhoenix Rising<\/b><\/h2>\n
“From that storm rises a phoenix,” Sarno said, clearly a man with a flair for a rousing literary soundbite. “For those who fought against us, whether from inside or outside, but want to dictate the future of the city of Springfield, let me send a resounding message: that we dictate the future of the city of Springfield and we’re going to continue to move forward on all fronts.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cPutting people to work, putting people through education, economic development and continuing our strides on public safety,” he added.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nIt may be a phoenix rising, but it\u2019s a phoenix that has undergone a cost-cutting redesign. As MGM witnessed construction costs booming last year, it reshuffled the plans for a 25-story gleaming glass tower into a six-story block instead. Even so, the cost is coming in well above the original estimate of $800 million \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBut despite what they may be plotting across the border in Connecticut, Massachusetts\u2019 first ever integrated casino resort is on schedule to open in 2018. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSuffolk Downs\u2019 80-Year History to End\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, Massachusetts last thoroughbred racetrack, Suffolk Downs in Revere, is to be sold for redevelopment. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission officially approved the sale on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“The purchaser has no interest in live racing and will not continue live racing at the property,” according to Gaming Commission General Counsel Catherine Blue. \u201cThe transfer will have an impact on racing in the commonwealth in that it will result in the closure of the only Thoroughbred track in the commonwealth at this time,” she added.<\/p>\n
The desire to safeguard Suffolk Downs was one of the primary motivations for the establishment of the 2011 Gambling Act, which expanded casino gaming in the state and created the Massachusetts casino licenses.<\/p>\n
Controversial Licensing <\/b><\/h2>\n
The bidding for the east Massachusetts license was closely and sometimes bitterly contested between the Wynn Resorts and the Mohegan Sun, which had pledged to build a casino in Revere and help save the racetrack.<\/p>\n
The the Gaming Commission\u2019s decision to go with Wynn Resorts<\/a> instead hammered the final nail into the thoroughbred horse racing industry the state. Many Revere residents and stakeholders in the horse racing industry felt betrayed.<\/p>\nLast month Mohegan Sun won the right to sue the Gaming Commission over \u201cunfair treatment\u201d during the licensing process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In Springfield, Massachusetts this week, the final piece of steel in the superstructure of MGM Resorts\u2019 $950 million casino development was laid in place, as hundreds gathered at a \u201ctopping off\u201d ceremony to mark the milestone. The city\u2019s mayor, Domenic Sarno, has billed the casino as a crucial piece of economic redevelopment for Springfield\u2019s tornado-ravaged […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":47603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,10,60,13,61],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
MGM Springfield Lays Final Steel Beam, Suffolk Downs to be Pulled Down<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n