Businesses in the area where MGM is planning to build a resort casino in Springfield, Massachusetts complain about a loss of parking and a reduction in foot traffic. But it appears the business owners can expect no relief from the city.
Concrete barriers put around the 14-acre casino construction site that extend out to just beyond the edge of the curb along heavily traveled Main and State Streets will remain in place after the Springfield City Council recently deadlocked 6-6 on a vote to order the removal of the structures.
Some downtown business owners brought complaints to the council two months ago that their business was suffering as a result of the barriers that they believe are unnecessary given the current amount of construction activity at the casino job site.
The full council sent the issue to the Maintenance and Development Committee, which held two public hearings but made no recommendation, according councilor Melvin Edwards, the committee chairman.
" I don't need to hear more descriptions of what the problem is," he said. " We need to address, regardless, concerns about public safety and lighting downtown. No one is coming forward with an alternative."
City officials say only 10 on-street parking spaces have been lost as a result of the barriers, but Nick Polimeni, the manager of McCaffrey’s Public House on Main Street, insists the number is larger as people, who are now former patrons, complain they can’t find a place to park.
" My biggest niche in the nine years we've been in business was was on-street, well-lit parking," he said. " People are afraid to park and walk on a dark street."
Polimeni estimated business is down by 25 percent since the barriers went up along the streets.
" I don't know if we'll be in business a year from now," he said. " It has really put a hurting on our business."
The business has made an application to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for payments from a casino mitigation fund.
In addition to the shortage of on-street parking, three public parking lots that sit within the casino worksite closed earlier this year. Jasmine Naylor of Caring Health Center on Main Street said patients are caught in the parking squeeze and are going elsewhere for health care.
Springfield DPW chief Chris Cignolli has insisted the barriers, which the city installed, are necessary to control vehicular and pedestrian traffic out of concern for public safety.
Cignolli said despite outward appearances there is an active job site within the barriers. He said the city has issued more than 70 permits mostly for underground utility work. Major construction work has been delayed until MGM receives final approvals from the city and the gaming commission for the new design for the project.
A spokesman for MGM said company officials have met with business owners affected by the parking squeeze to try to find a solution.
