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Ameristar confirms bid for casino in Springfield

Date: 8/20/2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Officials from Ameristar Casinos Inc. have confirmed their intentions to apply with the state to move forward their plans to develop a casino in the city on the Page Boulevard location of the former Westinghouse plant.

The only casino developer that has bought land in the city, the company plans to invest $400,000 in a casino application with the State Gaming Commission and has set aside $50 million to deal with traffic issues that would arise from the development of the casino.

In an email exchange with Troy Stremming, senior vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Stremming wrote, "Ameristar intends to submit the certification document along with the $400,000 fee to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission."

Despite the emphasis that Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy has placed on a downtown locations for the proposed casino, Stremming wrote, "Ameristar remains committed to the city of Springfield, Hampden County and the Commonwealth. We are confident that the 41-acre site we purchased on Page Boulevard is the premier location for a casino in the western region.

"We have the only site in Springfield that is fully zoned for commercial use and ready for construction. We own the entire site and it did not require the displacement of any businesses or residences; or closure of streets. We are confident that due to the size and scope of our project that our proposal will maximize tax revenue for the Commonwealth, and we look forward to participating in the Commission's selection process," he continued.

Mitigation funding is of concern to several communities in relation to a Springfield casino. Mayor Michael Bissonnette of Chicopee has spoken several times recently of the need to renovate the Massachusetts Turnpike entrance at the I-291 exchange, which would be very significant to the Page Boulevard location.

Stremming commented on that issue, by stating, "To address traffic concerns, Ameristar is working closely with local traffic experts, VHB, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., to create a proposal that ensures traffic to and from the project will have minimal impact on surrounding business and residents. We have committed $50 million to this traffic solution.

"The Ameristar transportation plan would not require the taking of any privately owned land or the removal of any home or businesses. The plan calls for dedicated lanes in the right of way of both sides of I-291. The northbound lanes would be after the St. James [Avenue] exit and southbound lane after the Page Boulevard exit.

"Heading north, or east, motorists would get into the dedicated lane, take a short ramp to a stop light at the top of the ramp and then take a left over a proposed new bridge over I-291 to the Ameristar property.

"Traveling south, or west, drivers would be directed into another dedicated lane that would not require a bridge since it is on the same side of the highway as the planned casino. This lane would go over Page Boulevard and would exit onto the casino property," he continued.

Ameristar officials will attend a City Council meeting called by City Council President James Ferrera on Aug. 20.