Ameristar states its case for East Springfield casino
Date: 10/29/2012
By Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — On the site of the former Westinghouse plant and potential new building site for a Springfield casino, Ameristar Casinos Inc. CEO and Director Gordon Kanofsky unveiled a proposal for a $910 million development that would sit between Page Boulevard and Interstate 291.
Kanofsky told members of public, local business owners and city officials that on the 40-acre property, Ameristar would build a 150,000 square foot casino featuring 3,300 slot machines and 110 table games, a hotel with 500 luxury hotel rooms and 50 suites and valet and self-parking for 4,300 vehicles.
It would also feature a nightclub, swimming pools, a spa, meeting and entertainment space and on-site childcare.
Troy Stremming, senior vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs, said that the company chose Springfield for several reasons, but most specifically because of its economic potential.
"It quickly became apparent to us that Springfield was the right location," he said. "This is where the population base is. This is where the majority of the workforce is located. But most importantly, this is the area that really has the greatest need for economic development in Western Massachusetts."
Kanofsky said that in addition to the amenities an Ameristar casino could offer, his company would be a clear choice based on the fact that they already own the property, which has been cleared and prepped for building, and would not require the displacement of residents or businesses.
"This is probably a two and a half year construction project, but anywhere it goes, it's going to be a two and a half year construction project," he said. "We're going to get started 12 to 18 months sooner because we already have 40 acres that is completely flat and construction ready.
"Anyplace downtown will have to displace businesses and residents and they'll have to tear down the structures, relocate utilities and then try to build up," he added.
Kanofsky and Stremming also pointed out the acreage gives Ameristar more flexibility than MGM or Penn National, both of which have put forth proposals for downtown casinos, which equates to "trying to fit a square peg in a round hole," according to Stremming.
"They're going to be working on about a quarter or a third as much ground. They're going to have to create a lot more vertical space instead of horizontal space, which frankly, takes more time and ends up with a flow for the guest which isn't as friendly," Kanofsky said.
Kanofsky also outlined the traffic plan for the casino, which would involve the construction of an overpass over I-291 between exits 4 and 5, a $58 million project, which Ameristar would pay for in full. The overpass would be fed by access roads off the divided highway that connects the Massachusetts Turnpike and I-91.
While that overpass would serve as the primary access to the casino, there would also be public access via Page Boulevard and Stevens Street.
"Eighty to 90 percent of the cars are going to be coming in over the new overpass straight off of 291. They're not going to touch Page [Boulevard], they're not going to bother the community," Kanofsky said.
Kanofsky touted his company's plans to integrate an Ameristar Springfield resort casino into the already existing entertainment and commerce, stating that the company would establish a Springfield box office at the casino, as well as at a downtown location, namely Union Station.
"We have heard very clearly that Springfield is not interested in a casino island unto itself or an inward facing box and we agree," he said. "We have been very conscious in our planning of the need to help revitalize Springfield as a whole, including downtown and not just East Springfield, even though this long overlooked part of town will benefit greatly from the Ameristar resort."
Kanofsky added that the company has already begun exploring marketing relationships with area restaurants and attractions and explained that while the high-rise portions of the casino would be closer to I-291, the area closer to Page Boulevard would be used to stimulate the economy in the corridor, specifically through restaurants.
"Great restaurants will fill a void in this part of town," he said. "We see these restaurants as sparking a revitalization along Page Boulevard."
In addition to internationally recognized restaurants owned by Wolfgang Puck and Martin Yan, Ameristar would feature local and regional restaurants such as Jerry Remy's Sports Bar and Grill, which currently has four Massachusetts locations, Schermerhorn's seafood, based in Holyoke and Frigo's Market and Deli.
Kanofsky also spoke of plans for an "intermodal transportation hub" on Page Boulevard, which would connect the casino to the rest of the city.
Addressing the fact that an East Springfield casino would be closer to residential districts than a downtown casino, Kanofsky called it an "advantage" for the community.
"There's going to be a lot of effect on local residents and it's all going to be positive," he said. "It will mean jobs and we're also going to create an urban courtyard along Page [Boulevard] and that, along with the transportation hub, is going to be a great place for them as a community."
