Casino Advisory Committee should focus on helping cityDate: 10/9/2019 So, if you sat on the newly formed Casino Advisory Committee in Springfield what would you support in terms of a change or improvements to MGM Springfield?
Although it may be out of the scope of the committee, for me the issue should be less about the casino and more about seeking ways for small business in the city to leverage the potential for growth from the millions of people coming to MGM.
I think the real issues for “improvement” aren’t centered on the casino itself, but instead on ways to translate this flow of people into increasing the economic development of the city.
For instance, after one year, one would have thought the empty retail storefronts across from the casino would be filled. I don’t blame the casino at all for the vacancies. I’m concerned that perhaps building owners have priced rental rates too high.
There is plenty of evidence that some businesses are in a better position thanks to MGM Springfield. I’ve detailed some that I know in previous columns and I’m sure there are more.
There should be many more, though, and there would be if the storefronts closest to the casino were the home of new businesses.
The biggest issue the committee might face is how, or if, it advises on the subject of the market rate apartments that are part of the Host Community Agreement. If you’ve forgotten, MGM is obligated to create 54-market rate units downtown. The Sarno Administration asked MGM if the company could be part of the long-anticipated redevelopment of 31 Elms St. or the Court Square building.
That request put the brakes on MGM building apartments elsewhere. Although the press has been assured the city, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, the preferred developers Opal Real Estate Group, and MGM are close to an agreement, we still are not there yet.
It’s been a very long time.
I don’t know what is happening behind closed doors, but if someone wants to argue what would be the next step in casino-related development it would be the creation of more market rate housing for downtown and the fulfillment of the Host Community Agreement.
Perhaps the committee can put some pressure on the parties involved in the Court Square project to actually get this project completed.
Who thinks about hydrants?
There are certain city services we all take for granted no matter where we live.
For instance, do we ever think about fire hydrants? Probably not, unless your home or business is on fire.
The recent fire in Holyoke that destroyed a family’s home brings this issue to everyone’s attention.
Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse reported on Facebook on Oct. 2 the city’s Water Commission is considering testing all hydrants once a year, instead once every two years.
Every city in our region has infrastructure issues. We all have aging water pipe systems with the only recourse a city has is to respond when there is an issue such as water main break. Being proactive and replacing hundreds of miles of old water mains is simply out of the financial reach for communities.
Residents rely on fire hydrants to be ready and functioning to its fullest capacity and I hope that every community in our region sees what happened in Holyoke and makes sure their hydrants are ready in an emergency.
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