South Eastern Massachusetts might be fertile ground, but there are other communities willing to embrace the phony prosperity offered.
In wake of Hard Rock casino proposal's defeat in West Springfield, players pick up the pieces
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WEST SPRINGFIELD - Following the defeat of Hard Rock International's $800 million resort casino proposal for the Eastern States Exposition, the players in the project are picking up the pieces and trying to move on.
For the exposition, concerns remain for how a Western Massachusetts casino will cut into its share of the entertainment market in the region.
Already, MGM Resorts International has reached out to the exposition about its plans for a casino in Springfield, and indications are that Hard Rock may be looking at other options elsewhere in the state.
Eugene Cassidy, CEO of the exposition, said a Wednesday morning message from William Hornbuckle, the president of MGM Resorts International, helped move him from being disappointed about the vote to becoming somewhat optimistic for the future.
"Very early this morning I did get a message from Bill Horbnbuckle, and maybe that will open a dialogue," Cassidy said of the MGM chief marketing officer. "He let me know they were watching the vote here in West Springfield and indicated that he would be in town for some time and was hopeful we could get together."
"As the dust still settles, our goal at the Eastern States was to protect the interests of the community here and the fair," Cassidy said. "We brought a world-class operator to the floor that is substantially different than any other operational in the game. Unfortunately the town didn't see the value but it worked out the way it was supposed to work out. The community was heard."
As the exposition's CEO, Cassidy added, "My first priority is the integrity of the Eastern States, and that is where my focus lies today."
In West Springfield's referendum, the Hard Rock proposal was defeated by a 55-45 percent margin, with the anti-casino ballots trumping the other side by 752 votes.
In July, Springfield voters endorsed MGM Resorts International's plan for a casino by a 58 to 42 percent margin. Palmer residents will vote on Nov. 5 to decide the fate of Mohegan Sun's proposal in their town.
While Tuesday's vote killed the West Springfield proposal, it may not kill Hard Rock's future in the stakes for casino gambling in the Bay State. Hard Rock issued a statement on Wednesday which left the company's options for the future open.
"Although the project will not take place in West Springfield, Hard Rock recognizes the significant offerings Massachusetts has for the brand and will continue to evaluate opportunities in the region," the company said in a statement released through its Florida-based public relations firm.
Penn National Gaming, which lost out on a proposal to build a casino in Springfield, has already emerged with a potential phoenix-like tale. Penn National has since worked out an agreement to buy the Plainridge Harness Race Track in Plainville, should the company be awarded a slots parlor license from the state.
The voters in Plainville overwhelmingly approved a slots parlor at the race track, with 76 percent of voters endorsing it in Tuesday's vote.
In neighboring Agawam where a majority of the city councilors had banded together to oppose Hard Rock's plan for West Springfield, life is expected to go back to normal.
"This represented a majority of the council, and I believe we sent a strong message to the people of West Springfield prior to their special election," said casino opponent and Agawam City Councilor George Bitzas. "I am pleased with the outcome because having a casino next door to Agawam was not in the best interest of our town."
In Springfield, chief development officer Kevin Kennedy said the city intentionally remained silent on the Hard Rock proposal.
"We did not say anything to interfere with West Springfield business, that is their business. We will compete when and if Palmer passes the referendum, and we square off in front of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission," Kennedy said. "But we want to act like the capital of Western Massachusetts and want people to see us in a good light. We want to have a real good regional approach to casino development in the region."
Kennedy acknowledged the West Springfield vote is beneficial for Springfield as it narrowed the field of casino competitors for the region. But, he also noted that he sees the decision by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming to end its pursuit of a slots parlor in Millbury provided a bigger benefit to the MGM proposal.
"Now the Western Massachusetts casino has the entire western and central parts of the state without competition," Kennedy said. "That is certainly good for our prospects but regardless of competition, we believe we would have the biggest impact on the region and that we have the best proposal. We will just have to see how it works out."
In a statement released through a company spokeswoman, MGM talked up its own proposal while being careful not to degrade the remaining competitor.
"MGM Resorts feels strongly that our unique world-class urban proposal is the best economic driver for the region. We came into this process knowing we had to set a very high bar because of the caliber of competitors. Competition makes us all better; and MGM has had its fair share throughout the municipal and state processes," the company said. "Today, just as we were 18 months ago, we remain focused on working with the City of Springfield and its neighboring communities to ensure that MGM Springfield is the Massachusetts Gaming Commission's choice for Western Massachusetts."
If Mohegan Sun's pitch for a $1 billion casino passes in the Palmer referendum vote on Nov. 5, the state Gaming Commission will review both it and the MGM project. A licensing decision is expected early in 2014.
http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/09/in_wake_of_hard_rock_casino_pr.html
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