SPRINGFIELD – Members of the City Council and Department of Public Works Director Chris Cignoli met with residents of the South End to help prepare them for the Aug. 24 opening of MGM Springfield.

The message from Cignoli is for the city’s residents to try to avoid traveling downtown during the grand opening.

Residents voiced concerns about casino customers parking where residents usually park, whether or not the closed road in the neighborhood would impede the ability of residents to get to and from their homes.

Cignoli told the residents gathering the offices of the South End Citizens Council to expect the MGM garage to be filled “every now and then” and that casino patrons will try to find free on-street parking. He added there are 6,000 parking spaces in the downtown area.

He added Springfield police would try to prevent casino visitors from using on street parking that residents use.

Councilors Jesse Lederman, Michael Fenton, Melvin Edwards and Tim Allen joined Cignoli at the meeting.

Lederman asked if the city’s call service for residents could be used to alert residents living near the casino about the parking and traffic issues.

Jose Delgado, representing MGM, said, “The more help the better.”

Cignoli said, “The people from the outside are the ones we are concerned about.”

He noted the MGM garage would take three hours to fill if a car could enter it every three seconds. The police are preventing motorists from lining up early as not to block traffic and Cignoli said traffic cones will be set up that day to keep traffic moving.

He said when the parking garage is filled visitors would be directed to park at the Big E and use the free shuttle that will be provided.

He reminded the residents at the meeting that I-91 Exit 6 both north and south will be closed that day.

Cignoli also said that both public and private parking areas will be charging normal rates and there would be no flat rate and no up-charges.

When asked about police, fire and ambulance service to the South End that will have road closings, Cignoli noted there would be police and ambulance stationed within the area to answer calls.

The Loop bus will start its free service to the casino, the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Museums and Union Stations once the closed city streets are open, Cignoli added.

MassDOT will start warning messages on its signs on I-91 and I-291 ten days before the casino opening and there will be signs on city streets as well.

One resident was worried about the impact of the traffic on safety for children who walk to school. Cignoli said that 25 intersections have been up-graded to try to address that issue. The resident said she has spoken to many parents who “don’t have a clue” and wondered what the School Department is doing.