Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, in consultation with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, his internal review committee and his outside consultants, has determined that the City will negotiate host community agreements for the development, construction and operation of a destination resort casino with each of Blue Tarp ReDevelopment, LLC, an affiliate of MGM Resorts International (“MGM”) and Springfield Gaming and Redevelopment, LLC, a joint venture between an affiliate of Penn National Gaming and an affiliate of Mr. Peter Picknelly (Penn JV”).
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, “After careful review and consideration of the proposals submitted by MGM and Penn JV in response to the City’s Phase II-Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals; I have decided that both proposals have qualified to proceed to this next step in the selection process”.
The City expects to commence such negotiations as soon as possible; however, commencement of such negotiations does not guaranty that the City will reach an agreement with either MGM or Penn JV. During the course of such negotiations, if it is in the City’s best interests, the City may agree to terms in a host community agreement which differ from those in a proposer’s submission. Any host community agreement negotiated with a proposer will require approval of the City’s City Council as well as the City’s voters as required under the Massachusetts gaming act. A host community agreement is a requirement for an applicant for a category 1 gaming license.
There will be press availability this afternoon Monday, February 11, 2013 at 1:45 P.M. with the City of Springfield’s Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is currently still engaged in dealing with post storm clean-up efforts. The Office Planning and Economic Development is located in the Municipal Operations Center, 70 Tapley Street, Springfield, MA 01104.