Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Slots parlor's impacts requires mitigation, council told
WORCESTER — City Manager Michael V. O'Brien says he will be looking well beyond the limits of the proposed slots parlor site off Kelley Square looking for ways to mitigate its impact to nearby neighborhoods.
In a related matter, Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city's acting commissioner of public health, said research he has done into electronic gaming machines, which includes slots, suggests they are far more addictive compared to other forms of gambling.
He said studies have shown that slot machines can lead to addiction at a rate more than three times faster than other gaming.
If a slots parlor is to be built on the 14-acre former Wyman-Gordon property on Madison Street, Mr. O'Brien said the city would need to develop and implement revitalization plans for several neighborhoods in and around that site and focus resources to accelerate their stability and safety.
In addition to Green Island, which is where the slots parlor would be sited, Mr. O'Brien said other neighborhoods that would need to be included in the mitigation discussion are Union Hill, Vernon Hill, the Canal District, Grafton Hill, part of Main South and lower Chandler Street.
The manager said mitigation efforts in those areas would include investments in economic development, housing (home ownership), new infrastructure (streets, sidewalks and parks), additional public safety programs and other additional service.
He said that will likely equate to dedicated mitigation funds for those purposes resulting from the slots parlor siting, and to a dedication of city, state and federal funding over a five- to seven-year period to accomplish the required goals.
He said all the goals would be part of an approved plan overseen by the city.
"These systematic issues are not insurmountable," Mr. O'Brien wrote in a report that goes before the City Council tonight.
"We would need to approach this slots parlor siting, if approved, with single-mindedness as a community to lift this entire section of the city up with economic development and neighborhood revitalization programs, as prioritized first for this area, working side-by-side with area stakeholders," he added.
The manager said it is a "work in progress" in determining what parts of that agenda would be covered through the community host agreement with the developer, and what parts would have to be done by the city on its own.
"The conversation must now include how we as a community would ensure that the neighborhood stabilization and revitalization efforts required — beyond those covered by the host agreement — would be implemented," Mr. O'Brien said.
"This will be a difficult conversation for there are priorities across the city, in neighborhoods throughout, that will likely have to be restructured to meet the immediate infusion to Union Hill/Vernon Hill/Canal District/Green Island/Grafton Hill/Main South and Chandler Street if a slots parlor approved and built," he wrote.
Mass Gaming and Entertainment LLC has proposed a 120,000-square-foot building on the Wyman-Gordon property that would have up to 1,250 slot machines.
The building would also house two restaurants, a food court, a bar and possibly a day spa. Meanwhile, a full-service hotel would be built in conjunction with the slots parlor development at a yet-to-be announced downtown location.
The total investment for the slots parlor and hotel is pegged at $240 million, along with the creation of more than 600 jobs. The project is also expected to generate millions of dollars in property tax revenues for the city.
While the developer presented some general details about the proposal to the City Council Economic Development and Public Safety committees two weeks ago, Mr. O'Brien said he is still waiting to receive more specific details about the slots parlor and hotel proposals.
He said he cannot begin negotiations on a community host agreement until city officials receive the details they need.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hirsh said electronic gaming machines, such as slots, are designed to stimulate the gamer in such a way to promote and prolong play.
He said the addictiveness of slots is because of their ability to rapidly deliver doses of play; up to 1,200 plays per hour.
"Studies show that (electronic gaming machines) can lead to addiction after one year, while other types of gambling take an average of 3 1/2 years to develop and addiction," Dr. Hirsh wrote in a report that also goes before the City Council tonight.
"Incorporation of the 'near-miss' into the electronic gaming machines essentially 'tricks' the player to feel satisfaction as long as they continue to play, regardless of wins or losses," he added. "All of these points evidence to addictiveness of EGMs, including slot machines."
http://www.telegram.com/article/20130507/NEWS/305078783/1116
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