By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-994038.mp3
Springfield, MA – Less than 24 hours after the Massachusetts legislature approved a compromise casino gambling bill, a Las Vegas company announced plans for a casino in Springfield. It is further evidence of the fierce competition that is expected for a casino license in western Massachusetts. WAMC"s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports..
Ameristar Casinos announced a deal to purchase a former manufacturing complex near an interstate highway on Springfield's east side and to apply for the sole casino license that would be available in western Massachusetts. Troy Stremming, the gaming company's senior vice president of government relations and public affairs, said development plans are preliminary, but the intent is to build a luxury hotel and entertainment resort with state of the art gambling.
At least four national gaming companies are now in the mix for the lucrative casino license in western Massachusetts. A signature by Governor Deval Patrick is all that it will take now to legalize casino gambling in Massachusetts after more than two decades of debating the issue.
Stremming said he planned to meet with city officials and East Springfield neighborhood representatives to brief them on Ameristar's plans. The company is purchasing for 16 million dollars a 41 acre site that has been little used since the Westinghouse Electric company closed its manufacturing operations there in the 1970s. The brick factory buildings on the site are being torn down.
The possibility of a casino on the property drew a mixed reaction from some neighborhood residents.
Ciro Ricciardi, who owns a barber shop across the street, said a casino would hurt some of the small businesses in the neigoborhood.
Another businessowner, Lucia Costa of the Soapy Dog Spa, said her only concern about a casino would be increased traffic.
The compromise casino bill approved by the legislature requires approval by a voter referendum in the host community before a casino license is issued. But in the largest cities, Boston, Worcester and Springfield, only voters in the ward where the casino is to be located would have to approve it. The city council could opt for a city-wide vote.
The legislation authorizes one casino license in each of three regions in the state. The western region is seen as having the most wide open competition. The Mohegan Sun Tribal Gaming Authority has been laying the ground work for several years in Palmer to build a casino on a forested hill top just off an exit from the Mass Pike. Hard Rock International recently partnered with a local group on a proposed casino development in Holyoke. Penn National Gaming has also said it will compete for a casino license in western Massachusetts, but has not disclosed a specific location.