By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-996232.mp3
Springfield, MA – Casino developers are trying to build up community support for their glitzy proposals before entering the bidding for the lucrative gambling licenses that will become available in Massachusetts next year. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.
Executives from a Las Vegas company will pitch their proposal to build a resort casino at a former industrial complex in Springfield during a neighborhood meeting Tuesday. Troy Stremming, senior vice president of government relations and public affairs for Ameristar Casinos said they want to reach out to the people who live and work near the site.
Ameristar announced three weeks ago it had purchased the former Westinghouse site for 16 million dollars and planned to enter the fray for a casino license in western Massachusetts. Company officials are prepared to speak only in general terms about the project at the public meeting.
Kathleen Brown, the president of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, which is hosting the meeting said the neighborhood appears divided over the prospect of a casino.
Ciro Ricciardi, who owns a barber shop across the street from where the casino could be built said it would hurt small businesses in the neighborhood.
Another business owner, Lucia Costa of the Soapy Dog Spa, said her only concern about a casino would be increased traffic.
The state's new gambling law requires approval by a voter referendum in a host community before a casino license is issued. But the law mandates that in the largest cities, including Springfield, the referendum takes place only in the ward where the casino would be located.
There is competition for the one casino license that could be issued in western Massachusett. Mohegan Sun of Connecticut has been actively pursuing a casino development for years in Palmer. The gaming company is hosting a meeting Thursday in Springfield to highlight how businesses through out the region might benefit from its proposed casino. Hard Rock International is proposing a casino in Holyoke.
Big headlines were generated in eastern Massachusetts last weekend by the prospect of a casino across from Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, and where U-Mass Amherst will play its home football games beginning next season. During a round of interviews with Boston media Monday, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Las Vegas developer Steve Wynn said they would only move forward with the proposal if the town of Foxborough supports it.
Kraft said the casino could be worth up to 15 million dollars a year in revenue for Foxborough. About a 100 people rallied in protest over the weekend, contending the casino would harm local businesses, tie up traffic and bring in more crime.