MGM Springfield on pace for September 2018

Aug. 17, 2017 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Preparations to seal the buildings at the MGM complex are underway in order for construction crews to work on the interiors over the winter. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs



BOSTON – A team representing MGM Springfield told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MCG) the construction of the Springfield casino is on schedule for a September 2018 opening.

The MCG listened to the quarterly report at its Aug. 10 meeting in Boston.

Seth Stratton, vice president and legal counsel for MGM Springfield, told the commissioners that Springfield’s City Council agreed to an extension to the timetable for the housing component of the project for an additional 18 months to accommodate the plans to redevelop 31 Court Street.

This was an amendment to the Host Community Agreement (HCA) and Stratton said another amendment would be made to the HCA when the plans for the market rate apartments were finalized.

Commissioner Bruce Stebbins asked about the status of the former School Department building on State Street that MGM purchased from the city as the location of part of the apartments. Stratton replied, “It’s still on hold.”

In the past Stratton said if the current efforts to redevelop the Court Square building were unsuccessful, MGM would continue its plans for the 54 market-ate apartments at the State Street location as well as another site to be determined.

Brian Packer, the vice president of Construction/Development, told the commissioners the emphasis this quarter was to prepare the buildings under construction for winter. The plan is to seal the buildings with outer walls in order to spend the winter working on the interior.

Packer shared with the commissioners aerial views of the site to share the progress.  He noted, exterior work in continuing the garage with the installation of its façade and the temporary supports have been removed from the historic building façade at 73 State St.

He said, “When you’re out there today as a pedestrian you can feel what the plaza is going to be like.”

Packer said the rainy summer has means adding shifts on Saturdays to keep the pace up for the goals to be met by winter.

The construction crews have been finishing up waterproofing insulation around the former First Spiritualist Church building and Packer said MGM management is developing a “very exciting concept” for the building.

At this time, MGM is looking for a vendor to run the movie theater that will be part of the casino complex, Packer said.

Exterior Signage concepts have been developed and will be presented tot eh City Council for approval in the next quarter.

“We have 51 Sundays left before I have to give them [MGM Springfield management] the keys,” Packer said.

The report presented tot the commissioners show the MGM Springfield continues to exceed exceeded all project goals to for the hiring of minorities, women and veterans.

Courtney Wenleder, vice president and CFO, reported the budget for the project is now at $960 million with an increase of $95 million.

Alex Dixon, MGM Springfield general manager, said the rest of the corporate team is being assembled and will have offices at 95 State St.

The Gaming Commission will be meeting in Springfield in September to see the progress themselves.

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