Construction work on the $950-million MGM casino resort in Springfield is going on schedule. The hotel and casino project is slated to swing its doors open in September 2018. Gambling operator MGM Resorts submitted a new construction plan for its casino project in Springfield, officially referred to as “MGM 95 percent Construction Design”. The document unveils that the new design of the casino project reflects the city’s requirements and it is to be with $10 million more expensive than the initial plan.
In an interview with New England Public Radio (NEPR), the Chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Steve Crosby told reporter Kari Njiiri that MGM Springfield construction is according to schedule and it is to become the first integrated casino resort to open in Massachusetts. Mr. Crosby approved that the gambling regulator is strictly overseeing the process of construction and it is in direct contact with the workers responsible for the building work. The commissioner explained that the workersā first goal is to finish work on the exterior before winter, so that when bad weather comes, they will be able to work on the interior of the building.
Once the casino project is completed, the multi-million-dollar complex is expected to create no less than 3,000 permanent jobs. Asked about the workers, which MGM is expected to hire for the construction project, Mr. Crosby explained that the idea is to give a job to the people, who are in real need such as those with criminal records. He added that somewhere next month both the House and the Senate are expected to pass an amendment to the stateās legal framework, changing the rules for those, who are working in non-sensitive positions.
Speaking of the MGM announcement that it is to establish a gambling facility in Bridgeport and the upcoming tribal-owned casino in East Windsor, which is in close proximity to Springfield, Mr. Crosby allayed any concerns that these gambling venues will change the projected tax revenue per year. He pointed out that the construction of the casino in Bridgeport will not be realized in the near future and there is nothing to worry about.
At the end of the interview, Mr. Crosby explained that the gambling regulator is to collaborate with the Department of Public Health to establish an adequate voluntary self-exclusion system, which is to protect playerās interests. That is expected to happen prior to the casino opening in 2018.
Reasons for MGM Springfield Resorts Delay
The main reason for the projectās one-year delay is the reconstruction of the Interstate 91 viaduct, which is in close proximity to the MGM resortās location. Consequently, this prevented builders from doing their job according to the schedule. As a result, the gambling operator asked for a permission to delay the opening of the casino, pushing MGM Springfield grand opening back to September next year. According to the latest updates, Mr. Crosby explained that construction work progresses on schedule and it is to be finished in due time.
