Springfield seems to have written their own rules and time table on this one.
Truly baffling!
Maybe it's time to apply the brakes.
Springfield pledges transparency with unveiling of casino proposals online; City Council to meet with consultant
By on October 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD — The city, citing the need for a fully transparent process, has released the full, detailed Phase 1 proposals for three competing casino projects in Springfield, which were filed with the city by last week’s deadline.
A new web page maintained by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority details casino proposals submitted by the city's Oct. 11 "Phase I" Request for Qualifications and Proposals deadline.
The web page is available at: www.springfield-ma.gov/casino.
“We made a promise right from the start this would be an open and transparent process,” said Kevin E. Kennedy, chief development officer. “This is evidence we intend to keep our word. Everyone in the public will be as well-informed as those who are working on this on a day-to-day basis.”
The companies that met the deadline were MGM Resorts International, which is planning a South End casino; Penn National Gaming, which is planning a casino in the North End of the downtown district; and Ameristar Casinos, which is planning a casino at the former Westinghouse site in East Springfield.
The information included on the new web page includes each company's proposal, qualifications and conceptual plans. A five-member Casino RFQ Review Committee will use the information to "pre-qualify" companies by Oct. 31. Pre-qualified companies will be invited to submit more detailed proposals in the next phase, beginning Nov. 1.
The review committee consists of Kennedy, Public Works Director Allen R. Chwalek, Deputy City Solicitor Kathleen Breck, Board of Assessors Chairman Richard Allen and Finance Director Timothy J. Plante.
The new web page also includes an at-a-glance table (below) comparing the details of the three proposals.
In related news, Kennedy and representatives of the city’s hired casino consultant, Shefsky & Froelich of Chicago, will meet with the City Council on Monday to provide the latest information on the casino review process and related issues. The meeting is at 5 p.m., at City Hall.
Some councilors have raised concerns that the council is not getting enough information to date, and needs to have a greater role in the review and selection process. The council will have to approve any community host agreement with a casino firm, and has power over zoning and special permit issues, councilors said.
Kennedy said that briefings and meetings with the council will be done on a regular basis throughout the process.
A new web page maintained by the Springfield Redevelopment Authority details casino proposals submitted by the city's Oct. 11 "Phase I" Request for Qualifications and Proposals deadline.
The web page is available at: www.springfield-ma.gov/casino.
“We made a promise right from the start this would be an open and transparent process,” said Kevin E. Kennedy, chief development officer. “This is evidence we intend to keep our word. Everyone in the public will be as well-informed as those who are working on this on a day-to-day basis.”
The companies that met the deadline were MGM Resorts International, which is planning a South End casino; Penn National Gaming, which is planning a casino in the North End of the downtown district; and Ameristar Casinos, which is planning a casino at the former Westinghouse site in East Springfield.
The information included on the new web page includes each company's proposal, qualifications and conceptual plans. A five-member Casino RFQ Review Committee will use the information to "pre-qualify" companies by Oct. 31. Pre-qualified companies will be invited to submit more detailed proposals in the next phase, beginning Nov. 1.
The review committee consists of Kennedy, Public Works Director Allen R. Chwalek, Deputy City Solicitor Kathleen Breck, Board of Assessors Chairman Richard Allen and Finance Director Timothy J. Plante.
The new web page also includes an at-a-glance table (below) comparing the details of the three proposals.
In related news, Kennedy and representatives of the city’s hired casino consultant, Shefsky & Froelich of Chicago, will meet with the City Council on Monday to provide the latest information on the casino review process and related issues. The meeting is at 5 p.m., at City Hall.
Some councilors have raised concerns that the council is not getting enough information to date, and needs to have a greater role in the review and selection process. The council will have to approve any community host agreement with a casino firm, and has power over zoning and special permit issues, councilors said.
Kennedy said that briefings and meetings with the council will be done on a regular basis throughout the process.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/10/springfield_unveils_casino_pro.html
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