A property owner is in talks with MGM Springfield about building new apartments just blocks from the site of where the downtown casino will open in a few years.
The owner of a block of buildings on Main Street hopes to partner with MGM to turn vacant office space on the upper floors into market-rate apartments. Mayor Domenic Sarno said it is the type of development his administration encourages.
"I am trying to build on the empty-nesters, baby boomers, and young professionals who want to come back to the core city to live, work, and play and have the amenities in downtown Springfield, " said Sarno.
The casino host community agreement commits MGM to build a total of 54 units of market-rate housing.
MGM is planning to build 30-35 apartments in the former Springfield School Department administration building.
