SPRINGFIELD, Mass.,
March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM
Resorts International today hosted the groundbreaking of MGM
Springfield, an approximately $800
million casino resort slated to open in fall 2017 in
Downtown Springfield. The event
marked the start of the construction phase of this unique urban
mixed-use development, the Commonwealth's first destination casino
resort.
Hundreds of people were in attendance at the groundbreaking
celebration, emceed by Kathy Tobin,
former local news anchor and current Director of Program
Development at Friends of the Homeless. With the Zanetti School –
severely damaged by the June 2011
tornado that tore through Springfield's South End – as a backdrop,
speakers highlighted the history of Springfield, the rebirth of the South End
neighborhood, and the energy and optimism that is filling the
region.
Jim Murren, MGM Resorts
International Chairman and CEO, said, "With every licensing
milestone and every campaign victory, we have honored the potential
of MGM Springfield. Today is even more special, though, as we put
shovels in the ground to officially celebrate what we came here to
do, put people back to work and begin a rebirth of the once
thriving urban center of Western
Massachusetts."
The crowd that included many state and local elected and
appointed officials gathered to hear from Murren, MGM Springfield
President Michael Mathis,
Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Steve Crosby, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and Revitalize CDC Associate
Director Ethel Griffin. More than 30
construction workers representing various trades were at the site
to honor the moment when thriving development returned to this
hard-hit section of Springfield.
Guests were treated to an interactive event as they were asked
to participate by writing their wishes for the future of the
City of Springfield and
Western Massachusetts. Their
wishes were then dropped into an MGM Springfield wishing well. MGM
will put all of the wishes into a capsule that will be placed in
the resort foundation as construction begins. The outdoor event
also featured a traditional first shovel of dirt ceremony as well
as celebratory confetti blasts.
In keeping with MGM's commitment to engage local businesses,
Springfield vendors Langone's, AC
Produce and Palazzo provided decor and beverages. Zasco Productions
of Chicopee provided the staging,
risers, sound and technical equipment. And Taylor Rental of
South Hadley provided additional
tables and chairs.
The day was about recognizing the rich history of the
City of Springfield while moving
the Gateway City into a new era of commerce and economic
opportunity.
Mathis said, "The City of
Springfield's people welcomed us into their hearts and homes
and trusted us with their hopes for the future. This property was
designed with the input of residents who wanted more for their
families and their community. Today is the day we start to realize
that future as we activate the most robust construction site
Springfield has ever
seen."
MGM Springfield will bring 3,000 permanent jobs and 2,000
construction jobs to Downtown Springfield. MGM has
established a hiring goal of 35 percent of the workforce from the
City of Springfield and 90 percent
from a combination of Springfield
and the region. Additionally, MGM Springfield has entered into
surrounding community agreements with neighboring communities
providing for tens of millions of dollars.
Sarno said, "The Springfield Renaissance is underway and MGM
Springfield is the catalyst our city needed to jump start our
revival. With thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic
activity; the economic center of Western
Massachusetts is on the rise. We look forward to working
with our residents, businesses and MGM during the construction
process."
Crosby said, "Today is a very exciting day for the Commonwealth
and Springfield. The Commission is
pleased to participate in this truly historic moment. It's
official: today's groundbreaking signifies not only the arrival of
a world-class gaming operator, but the catalyst for a new era of
job creation and economic opportunity for the residents of
Massachusetts."
MGM Springfield Details
MGM Springfield is being designed to ignite a Downtown Springfield revival and enhance the
region's urban center. The mixed-used development includes a
25-story, 250-room hotel with a world-class spa, a pool and roof
deck; 125,000 square feet of gaming space with 3,000 slot machines,
75 gaming tables, a poker room and high limit VIP gambling area;
about 55,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space that will
accommodate 15 shops and restaurants; and a multi-level parking
garage.
Plans also envision a high-energy dining, retail and
entertainment district with an eight-screen cinema, bowling alley
and an outdoor stage. This will be developed by Davenport
Properties of Boston, MA, in
partnership with MGM on land now occupied by the tornado-ravaged
South End Community Center and the Zanetti School.
Next Steps
Over the next several weeks, site activity will largely consist
of necessary abatement work to clear hazardous materials from
buildings scheduled for demolition. In parallel, the MGM
Springfield team is working on agreements with multiple contractors
who can meet the spring and summer construction timelines for
several project components, including excavation, waterproofing and
utilities. Other team members will continue to work closely with
local workforce training partners to develop curricula and job
training that will match the needs of an MGM Springfield
workforce.
Mathis said, "As we celebrate this moment, we know plenty of
work lies ahead. I think we have proven that we are not afraid of
hard work, and as always we will remain transparent and inclusive
as we build a better future for this region."
About MGM Springfield
On June
13, MGM Springfield received the unanimous vote of the
Massachusetts Gaming Commission, and the first approval of a casino
license in the Commonwealth. Following the defeat of a gaming
repeal ballot question on Nov. 4, MGM
Springfield formally received its license on Nov. 7. MGM Springfield, an approximately
$800 million resort, is slated for
14.5 acres of land between Union and State streets, and Columbus
Avenue and Main Street. For more information about MGM Springfield
please visit www.mgmspringfield.com.
About MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM)
MGM
Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading
global hospitality companies, operating destination resort brands
including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The
Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which
owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of
developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter
in Las Vegas, which features ARIA
Resort & Casino. For more information about the company please
visit www.mgmresorts.com.
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. MGM Springfield has
based forward-looking statements on management's current
expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples
of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding the timing and development of MGM Springfield. These
forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those indicated in such
forward-looking statements include effects of economic and market
conditions and competition with other destination travel locations
throughout the United States and
the world, and the design, timing and costs of the project and
additional risks and uncertainties described in the MGM Resorts
International Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including
all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking
statements, MGM Springfield is not undertaking any duty or
obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law.
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SOURCE MGM Resorts International