A casino proposed for the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield would have a $100 million a year payroll, proponents said.
Talking during a meeting of the West of the River Chamber of Commerce at Chez Josef are, from left, Mark Rivers, president of The Bronson Companies, Eugene J. Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, Mike Beaudry, chairman of the West of the River Chamber, and Debra Boronski, executive director of the chamber. The Bronson Companies are the developers and consultants of the proposed Hard Rock Casino project on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield.
AGAWAM — A casino at the Eastern States Exposition fairgrounds in West Springfield would generate about $100 million annually in payroll and provide economic opportunities for local businesses “up and down the food chain,” a proponent of the project told an audience Wednesday at Chef Josef.
About 100 people attended the Wicked Wednesday gathering held there by the West of the River Chamber of Commerce.
Mark Rivers, president of the Bronson Companies, developers and consultants on the project, said goods like fresh vegetables will be bought locally and there is the possibility of a buy local program.
Bronson Companies is working with Hard Rock International and the Eastern States Exposition on the project, estimated at $500 million to $800 million. Earlier, proponents had estimated the project at $700 million to $800 million.
Hard Rock International and the exposition have proposed developing a resort casino project on a 38-acre section of the eastern part of the exposition’s 175-acre campus off Memorial Avenue in West Springfield.
“It is a winning site and a winning formula,” Rivers said.
As for concerns about traffic generated by the project, Rivers said, “The traffic isn’t as bad as we think. You have our attention on that. We are working on that and we have our resources on it.”
He said the possibility of establishing secondary access from Route 5 through Agawam Avenue to the southeastern section of the fairgrounds is being looked at. The site would also be accessed through gate 9 at the fairgrounds off Circuit Avenue.
Rivers also promised traffic improvements to Memorial Avenue, including the area near Agawam.
As for whether the fact that there are rare and endangered species at the site by gate 9 proposed for the project, Rivers said the project would enhance them.
“We’ll be able to preserve, protect, clean up and enhance habitats,” Rivers said.
The Big E agricultural fair at the fairgrounds can draw 150,000 to 160,000 people a day, while a casino would attract 26,000 to 30,000 people a day over 24 hours, according to casino proponents.
Plans for a casino with a hotel with 400 to 500 rooms were announced at the exposition in mid-January during a gala rollout for dignitaries that included singing by musical star Brett Michaels.
Local people have expressed concerns that a casino would worsen traffic problems, especially during the Big E annual agricultural fair that last fall brought more than 1.3 million visitors to the fairgrounds.