The five-member Massachusetts Gaming Commission gave its unanimous consent for a final state license that allows MGM Resorts International to start demolition and construction for its proposed casino and entertainment facility in Springfield, Mass.
This $950 million, 14.5-acre project—which the developer and Commission had been wrangling over for a year—was approved after the Commission determined MGM had taken sufficient steps to minimize this project’s environmental impact. That included reducing the size of the casino from its original plan as a 25-story tower to its current low-rise proposal for six stories. The developer also reduced the building’s square footage by nearly 14% to 759,157 sf. A proposed apartment complex will be moved outside of the development’s site.
All these changes led to a $150 million increase in this project’s costs, according to Masslive.com. What those extra dollars will pay for was not disclosed.
At a later date, the Commission will vote on the casino’s proposed design. Masslive.com reports that the project now includes extensive landscaping and a new stormwater management system.
Among the buildings expected to be demolished is the Howard St. Primary School, which was damaged in a 2011 tornado; and a boarding house on Bliss St. The original plan would have meant the demolition of the United Electric Building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Based on the project’s impact, eight cities and towns, including Chicopee and Holyoke, and Agawam, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Ludlow, West Springfield and Wilbraham, are among those eligible for mitigation.
The Springfield casino is slated to open sometime in 2018.
Unrelated to the casino project but hovering in the background was the news that one of MGM Springfield’s contractors, Tishman Construction, will pay more than $20 million in penalties and restitution after admitting that it had defrauded clients of more than $5 million in the years 1999 and 2009. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York hit Tishman with federal fraud charges on Dec. 10.
World Casino News also reports that the Commission recently opened a discussion regarding an update on the casino license for the Region C casino license and the tribal compact for the Masspee Wampanoag Indian Tribe and Mass Gaming and Entertainment’s $677 million casino in Brockton, Mass. The U.S. Department of the Interior approved land-into-trust applications for the transfer of approximately 151 acres of land in East Taunton and 170 acres in Mashpee for the tribe back in September.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Casino Queen breaks ground on $2.15 million entertainment venue
The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill., is raising the stakes in its bid to capture a larger share of the local gaming market with the start of construction on a new $2.15 million sports bar and entertainment venue that will enhance the overall experience for guests.
| Aug 11, 2010
New website highlights government tax incentives for large commercial buildings
Energy Retrofit Group (ERG), the subsidiary of 40-year-old, award-winning Adache Group Architects, Inc., has announced the creation of their new energy conservation web site: www.energy-rg.com.
| Aug 11, 2010
AECOM, WATG top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest hotel design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 Hotel Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Urban Land Institute honors five 'outstanding' developments in Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Five outstanding developments have been selected as winners of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) 2009 Awards for Excellence: Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) competition. This year, the competition also included the announcement of two special award winners. The Awards for Excellence competition is widely regarded as the land use industry’s most prestigious recognition program.
| Aug 11, 2010
Skanska, Turner most active in U.S. hotel construction, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 50 Hotel Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
AECOM, Arup, Gensler most active in commercial building design, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 100 Commercial Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
PCL Construction, HITT Contracting among nation's largest commercial building contractors, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 50 Commercial Contractors based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
CityCenter projects get LEED Gold
MGM Mirage and Infinity World Development have received LEED Gold certification for the first three CityCenter projects: the ARIA Resort hotel tower, ARIA Resort convention center and theater, and the Vdara Hotel (above). The CityCenter developers anticipate Gold or Silver LEED certification for the project's remaining developments, which include a Mandarin Oriental hotel, a 500,000-sf retail a...
