MGM built it, and yes, they came...

Aug. 30, 2018 | The Reminder Publishing Staff
news@thereminder.com


The casino was open for business on Aug. 24 following MGM’s parade through downtown Springfield.
Reminder Publishing photo by Payton North.

SPRINGFIELD  – The  promotional film preceding the press conference on Aug. 23 formally announcing the opening of MGM Springfield stated a core message for the giant entertainment company: “We’re not in the hotel business. We’re in the holy sh*t business.”

Use of a four-letter word aside, it was clear the company wanted to not just impress the press and local officials gathered in the Aria ballroom, but to blow them away.     

MGM is the first destination casino to open in the state, with the complex in the town of Everett not scheduled to open until June 2019. A large contingent of media from around New England gathered for the event.

According to James Murren, the CEO of MGM Resorts International, “We’re just getting started.”

The road leading to the MGM opening started in 2011 when the Commonwealth approved legislation to allow casino gaming in Massachusetts. The MGM project was delayed in 2014 with a statewide referendum that casino opponents hoped would roll back the legislation. It failed and casino projects went forward.

Murren was one of a parade of officials who took to the lectern during the nearly two-hour event. The speakers were preceded by a performance by members of the Blue Man group, who closed their show with confetti and streamer  guns aimed at the audience.

The show closed with a performance by The Jabbawockeez dance troupe who won first place in the TV show “America’s First Dance Crew” in 2008.

Prior to the start of the press conference, there was live entertainment, breakfast food and “shots” of vegetable and fruit juice. Nearly all local officials from most Hampden County communities were present.

For Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, there was just one four-letter word that matters to him: jobs.

“Well over 1,000 Springfield residents are employed at MGM,” he said.

Congressman Richard Neal noted the annual payroll is $90 million and the city should experience an uptick in housing and rehabilitation, which in turn will get people to spend more, which will create increases in sales taxes revenue.

Stephen Crosby, chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said, “MGM is meeting and exceeding expectations. It’s about time to party!”

Crosby added the MGM design will “serve as a national model for future mixed use urban development.”

That design impressed Gov. Charlie Baker who said, “The idea was to revitalize an urban community, an urban environment.”

He added, “I can’t wait for a chance to come play here but the lt. governor and I are going to be a little busy for a while.” He was referring to the election in November.

Murren cited how about 35 percent of the 3,000 jobs went to Springfield residents and added, “I believe we need to earn our right to be in Massachusetts.”

He ended his speech on a Dr. Seuss quote, “If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it'd be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”  He then added, “Springfield, you took a chance. I promise it’ll be worth it.”

G. Michael Dobbs

 

After years of construction and planning, the big day had finally arrived – the highly anticipated grand opening of MGM Springfield.

Caffeinated, and with my best walking shoes on, I attended the city-wide event on Aug. 24 with my coworkers Payton North and Mike Dobbs.

We arrived at the casino around 9:45 a.m. in order to set up for the opening parade, which was scheduled to start at 10:30 – a half hour before the casino doors opened.

It was a warm, and fairly cloudless, sunny day. The sky was bright blue and many of the downtown shops took the day off. The casino’s surrounding roads were closed – Main Street from Court Street to Union Street; State Street from MGM Way to Dwight Street; and Union Street from Main Street to Hall of Fame Avenue. Several yellow dump trucks blocked off the street paths, and a sea of people formed a line at the entrance of the hotel lobby – we’re talking thousands. The line wrapped  around the block, passing the casino’s South End Market entrance at the corner of State and Main Street. There were mini food stands scattered along the closed roads, and a man juggling bowling pins on a unicycle entertained the crowd.

Excited chatter permeated the line, which consisted of people from all over the region, with occasional outbursts of “MGM” chants.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno kicked off the parade in a light grey convertible, accompanied by MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis. The University of Massachusetts Amherst cheerleaders and marching band followed. MGM officials and employees also walked in the parade. One of the highlights – in my personal opinion – were the Budweiser Clydesdale horses at the end. It was my first time seeing them in person, and I was not disappointed.

After the parade was said and done, the jitters kicked in. Everyone in line, at least in our general area, became fairly quiet – we were about three-fourths of the way back. As expected, it took about an hour to move 10 feet. Someone leaving the line shouted that MGM employees expected the wait to be another two hours before everyone got in. With that, we decided to head out to lunch and try our luck around 2 p.m. – which turned out to be a very smart decision.

We were able to get into the casino with no trouble at all. The casino was packed, but not crammed. My senses were flooded with flashing lights, slot machine sounds and different smells.  The tables were full and everyone looked extremely comfortable on the slot machines. The line for Tap Sports Bar went out onto the casino floor, and the restaurants, The Chandler Steakhouse and Cal Mare, were booked.     

Overall, the MGM experience on opening day was as expected.

While the casino is one of the most beautiful and thoughtful casinos I have ever seen, if the crowd remains even half the size of opening day, I would recommend waiting another week to visit.
Jordan Houston

 

After spending both Aug. 20 and Aug. 23 at MGM for an exclusive tour and press conference, I had several people ask me if, “I was sick of MGM yet.” My answer was consistently, “No, not at all!” Aug. 24, the fateful day of MGM Springfield’s opening had arrived–and I was ready to attend the opening parade ceremonies along with thousands of other individuals eagerly waiting for officials to open the casino doors.

The game plan for Jordan and I was to walk around MGM and scope out the lines, see where was busy in the casino and perhaps enjoy one of MGM’s many specialty beverages. What can I say; it had been a long week.

As we approached the entrance to the Casino, I have to say, it felt incredibly surreal. An electronic sign hanging on one of the courtyard walls alternated between four images reading, “From MGM Springfield, thank you,” “#NewTraditions,” “this is a first,” and “our doors are open.” Well over 100 people were milling about in the courtyard, and it was strange to see so many people utilizing the space that had only been occupied by MGM employee’s just days before.

Jordan and I bee lined straight to the lobby bar, eager to spend time in what we believe is the coziest spot in MGM. The lobby features eclectic comfy couches that are covered in cozy throw pillows, plush leather and tufted fabric chairs, a fireplace that has unique porcelain–like sculptures of antlers and mounts.

We hopped into line at the bar and perused the drink menu. The menu, which we had learned on our tour, featured drinks that were inspired from books. My drink of choice was vodka–based: the “bippity boppity booze,” a take on Cinderella’s fairy godmothers iconic phrase. Jordan chose a “gone with the gin,” a clear reference to Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With the Wind.” Mike, who had briefly left our group for another appointment, met up with Jordan and I in the lobby and purchased the “tequila mockingbird.” This drink, which comes from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is served in a mockingbird shaped glass.

The three of us enjoyed our drinks and chatted in the lobby while watching people enjoy the trendy casino for the first time. Once we were finished, Jordan and I once again parted ways with Mike so we could walk around the casino and check out the opening day lines.

While we noticed the gaming floor was bustling, there were still plenty of slots open to be played. Then we rounded the corner to walk by one of MGM’s restaurants: Cal Mare.

Cal Mare is MGM’s Italian–style restaurant. It offers rustic brick walls that are painted mostly white with hints of brown poking through. Cal Mare also offers a wood–fired pizzeria, which was mobbed with a long line of guests waiting for a slice.

After taking a few photos, Jordan and I made our way to the South End market. This is MGM’s more “casual” dining option offering quick bites to eat and casual seating. This space reminds me of Boston’s Quincy Market. The tables at the South End Market were full, and a long line was forming as an MGM employee dictated who could enter the space depending on where they were eating and if they were sitting. While the restaurants at MGM are beautiful, I was looking forward to utilizing South End Market, as there are a wide variety of options at seemingly great quality.

In an effort to leave the sea of casino–goers, Jordan and I walked out to MGM’s Top Golf facility. At Top Golf, there are several golf simulator machines. In addition to the simulators, there is comfortable, plush seating and a full bar for golfers to enjoy. While we didn’t take Top Golf for a test run, we found out that on the weekends an hour playing costs $80 and there can be up to 5 people per group. On weekdays, the prices drop down to $60 for an hour.

Our last stop on opening day was to visit the Indian Motorcycle shop. There were two beautiful motorcycles on display, along with Indian Motorcycle t-shirts, sweatshirts and other biker gear. My dad, Art, has a Harley Davidson and is big into motorcycles. I came quite close to purchasing him an Indian Motorcycle shirt, however, I stopped myself when I saw the price tag. While my dad is fantastic and deserves the t-shirt–I knew he wouldn’t be happy with me if I spent $45 on a shirt! Nonetheless, the Indian Motorcycle shop was garnering plenty of attention of motorcycle diehards, and I have a feeling MGM won’t be missing my t-shirt money.

All in all, the past week covering MGM has been a lot of fun. It’s not so often that I travel into downtown Springfield, but I have to say, my view on the city has significantly changed. I was happy to see the city coming alive again, and I’m hopeful that this is only the beginning.
Payton North

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