What 2018 has in store for MGM Springfield casino project

Since March of 2015 that time, the MGM Springfield casino project has been scheduled to inaugurate its USD 960 million casino in September this year, and its spokesman said that opening will be preceded by many announcements as the project pushes forward. MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said there is excitement in the air in the city: "I'm incredibly excited," Mathis said. "For 2018, we feel like this is Springfield's year to shine." However, Mathis also said that some specific highlights of 2018 are not yet ready to be divulged publicly. 

The MGM Springfield administration offices are moving from their temporary location in the Monarch building in the downtown to its newly renovated headquarters at 95 State St. on the grounds of the casino project. MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis said the physical move was expected to take effect the week of Jan. 8.

Built in 1929, the State Building was designed in the Classical Revival style by Burton Geckler as an annex to 1200 Main St., the large office building next door. MGM originally planned to demolish the 11-story building for its casino, but it was later decided to save and renovate the property.

Mathis said the new site and window views are "wonderful," and in contrast to some casinos where such offices might be "in the belly" of the buildings such as windowless basements.
The Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute will launch training for prospective dealers, croupiers and table games employees, beginning Feb. 26, at 95 State St. The training is a j oint effort by MGM Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College and Holyoke Community College. 

MGM Springfield has promised the city and state that it will create 3,000 permanent jobs, of which at least 2,200 will be on a full-time equivalent basis with benefits. Included in the total hires are at least 1,000 workers on the casino floor including dealers, pit managers and slot machine technicians.

MGM Springfield purchased the city-owned former State Armory building for $1.6 million in 2014 in the aftermath of the 2011 tornado that did heavy damage to the rear section, which has since been torn down. The Armory had housed the South End Community Center.

There is extensive work continuing in 2018 to preserve the front historic section of the building. The site is being converted to a marketplace for the MGM Springfield casino project. Additionally, MGM Springfield will be announcing multiple food and beverage vendors and retail partnerships in early 2018, according to MGM spokesman Saverio Mancini. 

Mathis said that two consecutive mild winters helped MGM make great progress on construction, and the buildings will be mostly buttoned up for the current winter months. There is "a ton" of interior work to do this winter and continuing thereafter, he said. Here, a couple of workers are seen carrying tarps onto the hotel site that will be used to cover the side so bricks can be installed in the cold weather.

Among the interior work MGM needs to complete over the next eight months are the guest spaces, including the lobby seen here in an artist rendering released in December.
MGM Springfield is negotiating with city officials and private developers to aid with the planned redevelopment of a long-vacant building at 31 Elm St., seen here, for market rate housing. Under the current proposal, MGM Springfield would contribute $11 million toward the estimated $40 million cost of redeveloping the site.

MGM Springfield purchased the former School Department building on State Street from the city in 2016 for $600,000, and planned to use it to help meet its housing commitment. But in March 2017, MGM announced it was shifting its focus to the historic and abandoned building at Court Square. MGM is committed to provide at least 54 units of market rate housing, but has until 2020 to finalize that commitment.

As far as design is involved, hotel rooms will include art related to city history, including wall hangings and other features that tell some of the history of Springfield. MGM Springfield is committed to providing a six-story, four-star hotel, with 250 rooms.

Additionally, the former First Spiritualist Church of Springfield, a Victorian Gothic church built in 1887, has been relocated on the MGM Springfield site to serve tenants that will include Kringle Candle. Interior renovations continue in 2018.

The MGM Springfield parking garage may have the outward appearance of completion, but additional interior work continues in 2018. The garage will not open to casino patrons and the public until approximately the time of the grand opening of the casino slated in September, Mathis said. The garage has approximately 3,400 spaces.

In coordination with the Springfield Historical Commission, MGM Springfield will continue historic preservation efforts on the casino site. A key project is the relocation of a dome at 73 State St., a highly visible site outside the casino ballroom at the top of an escalator.

MGM Springfield will be announcing its entertainment schedule for on-site and off-site venues including the MassMutual Center. Under its host community agreement, MGM Springfield will help bring events to the MassMutual Center, CityStage and Symphony Hall, as well as announce on-site entertainment.

As part of its entertainment offer, MGM Springfield will be announcing vendors during 2018 for various entertainment venues including a bowling alley and movie cinemas. This artist rendering shows the entertainment plaza area.

MGM Springfield will continue discussions with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission about establishing a trolley system in downtown Springfield. As planned, the trolley will connect patrons of MGM Springfield will key destinations in the downtown area including the Quadrangle, the Basketball Hall of Fame and Union Station.

Once the interior heavy work is completed inside the casino, the gaming tables and slot machines will start arriving in the spring, Mancini said. The public can also expect to see mass deliveries of millions of dollars in equipment and supplies ranging from dishes to fitness equipment and from cleaning supplies to ice machines. 

The reconstruction of the Interstate 91 viaduct in Springfield is nearing completion, and is slated to be finished ahead of the casino opening. The end of that construction is seen as key to the grand opening of the casino. The $183.3 million reconstruction targeted a 2-mile section of the highway, creating traffic back-ups and exit closures at various times.