An estimated 300 people gathered inside and outside the hall at Court Square, for the “Yes for Springfield” rally that included speeches, lawn signs, bumper stickers and campaign buttons, urging Springfield voters to approve MGM’s proposed $800 million casino project in the South End.
SPRINGFIELD – Representatives of MGM Resorts International, city officials, and supporters gathered at Symphony Hall on Wednesday to formally kick off MGM’s campaign for a “yes” vote on the July 16 referendum ballot for a Springfield casino.
An estimated 300 people gathered inside and outside the hall at Court Square, for the “Yes for Springfield” rally that included speeches, lawn signs, bumper stickers and campaign buttons, urging Springfield voters to approve MGM’s proposed $800 million casino project in the South End.
Some of those gathered said they favor the casino to help promote jobs and economic development, and due to concerns that a casino otherwise would be located elsewhere in Western Massachusetts, with Springfield gaining less.
Mohegan Sun is proposing a casino in Palmer off the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Hard Rock International is proposing a casino in West Springfield on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will approve just one casino in Western Massachusetts.
Emily Innocent, a resident of the Mason Square area, said she favors the casino, particularly for added jobs and for tax relief.
“The city could do that, if they give relief to the homeowners,” Innocent said.
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Lian Edison, of Springfield, hands out pro-casino signs before a rally at Springfield Symphony Hall Wednesday afternoon. Regarding jobs, a casino could lead to more job opportunities, and would free up more jobs for teenagers, she said.
Carol Costa, a downtown resident, said that if there is to be a casino in the region, it needs to be in Springfield.
“We know it is either going to go to West Springfield, Palmer or Springfield,” Costa said. “And certainly, the amount of money that will be invested into the community that gets the casino is something that should be looked at. We don’t want to have a vacuum of money leaving Springfield, going elsewhere.” Gregory Metzidakis, another downtown resident, said he believes the project “will be an amazing development.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council approved the July 16 vote on the casino, giving the required 60 days notice to voters. Sarno and some councilors attended the rally.
A “yes” vote on July 16 means a yes vote for “good jobs, a revitalized downtown and a better tomorrow for Springfield,” Sarno said.
Mike Mathis, MGM Resorts vice president of global gaming development, said MGM and its supporters will bring the casino conversation to the voters of Springfield, “neighborhood to neighborhood, door to door.”
Michael T. Kogut, chairman of Citizens Against Casino Gaming, said his group and its supporters have their own grassroots campaign under way.
“It’s a classic David versus Goliath,” Kogut said. “They have spent a ton of money already and will spend much more. Ours is a very methodical, grassroots campaign where we will get out the vote.”
Those who gathered at the MGM rally included residents, and representatives from labor organizations, the business community and civic and cultural organizations. The anti-casino group objected to the timing of the July 16 vote, saying it should have waited until November, which the group says would get greater turnout.
MGM paid for the hall for its late afternoon rally, a city official said.
Mohegan Sun has talked about having a host community agreement completed in July, and making a request to Town Council for a September referendum. Nothing has been finalized, however.
In West Springfield, Hard Rock International representatives have not settled on a date they will seek for a referendum vote in which residents would decide whether they will let a casino be established in their community.
Staff writers Lori Stabile and Sandra Constantine contributed to this report.