Officials with MGM asked the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Thursday to approve controversial changes to the design of the Springfield casino project.
MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis said new plans that shrink the size of the casino complex by 10 percent and eliminate a 25-story hotel will not reduce projected gambling revenue. He said replacing the high rise hotel with a six-story building with the same number of rooms won’t detract from a premium hotel experience, but will allow MGM to save up to $75 million in construction costs.
" From a plan view we think this project is remarkably similar, and in fact better," Mathis told commissioners at a meeting Thursday in Springfield.
Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said MGM’s two-hour presentation was “persuasive.” He and other commissioners pressed for more details on the project budget, questioning why costs have escalated so much.
MGM said it expects to spend $950 million on the Springfield project, which was originally budgeted at $800.
