Hard Rock International may acquire more options to buy property near the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in addition to the options for three properties it has already signed.
This is a rendering of Hard Rock International casino project proposed for the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
WEST SPRINGFIELD - Hard Rock International has taken out options to buy three properties along the east side of the Eastern States Exposition campus on Memorial Avenue here as part of its plans to improve traffic flow to a proposed $700 to $800 million casino project on land in the eastern portion of the fairgrounds campus.
Mark Rivers, president of the Bronson Companies, Hard Rock’s development consultants, announced the news Tuesday. He said there is also the possibility of Hard Rock acquiring options on more property toward the the end of establishing a second means of access to the proposed casino site.
“This is evidence of our top priority, which is creating a traffic relief valve from Eastern States back to Route 5,” River said.
The properties, at 55, 175 and 203 Circuit Ave., could also provide space for some additional parking, he said.
Rivers made the announcement on the eve of a presentation of a traffic plan for the project by Hard Rock’s traffic consultants Tighe and Bond planned for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the municipal building. The presentation will be part of a meeting of the Mayor’s Casino Advisory Committee and will include material from Las Vegas engineering firm Kimley and Horn, also consultants to Hard Rock.
Residents of the area have been very vocal in expressing concerns that a casino would create more traffic congestion around the fairgrounds, especially during its annual The Big E agricultural fair. The fall attraction, which bills itself as the Northeast’s annual agricultural fair, drew more than 1.3 million visitors in 2012.
In addition, officials in Agawam have said they worry that traffic along Memorial Avenue will spill over into their community, creating snarls. They have also suggested casino patrons may travel to a casino taking routes through Agawam.
Rivers said the options are contingent on Hard Rock getting a license from the state to operate a casino. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to award a license to one of four casino projects proposed in the western part of the state in February. There are two casinos proposed for neighboring Springfield, one on the North End and another on the South End, as well as a project proposed for Palmer.
Details about the three properties are as follows:
55 Circuit Ave., 5.97 acres with a building owned and operated by Connecticut Valley Block.
175 Circuit Ave, 2.37 acres and a building owned and operated by Springfield Lumber.
203 Circuit Ave, 9.96 acres with a building owned and operated by U Name It Self Storage.
The properties are on the east side of Circuit Avenue and to the east of lagoons on the Eastern States Exposition campus.