SPRINGFIELD — City officials announced on Monday that MGM Springfield's revised site plan application for a proposed $950 million casino project is now complete, clearing the way for a public hearing and City Council review.
The decision occurs one month after the city notified MGM, through its development arm, Blue Tarp redevelopment LLC, that its earlier site plan application in October was being returned after being deemed "incomplete."
With the site plans now deemed complete, the City Council must schedule a public hearing on the plans within 45 days, officials said, under the city's zoning requirements.
Once the public hearing is conducted, the council has the power to vote on amendments and conditions, said Philip Dromey, the city's deputy director of planning.
MGM Resorts International had submitted additional information to the city to complete the application for the planned Springfield casino, officials said.
There have been various changes to the project design in recent months including the elimination of a planned 25-story hotel from the project. The tower is being replaced by a six-story hotel, which will be moved to Main Street still with 250 rooms.
Another change was a reduction in the size of the casino project. MGM officials said that a 14 percent reduction in square footage outlined in a state environmental regulatory filing was based on cautious figures and the real reduction is actually 9.71 percent.
In addition, MGM said the downsizing was due in large part to a reduction in back-of-the-house operations, and due to the change in hotel plans and less elevator-related space.
MGM Springfield, to complete its application, had to respond to all the questions raised by the city's internal staff and consultants, and provide all the additional information needed, according to City Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy and City Solicitor Edward Pikula.
City councilors have been awaiting the site plan application to move forward with its review. Any substantial changes in design need approval from Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council.
MGM officials made a public presentation of its latest plans at CityStage in the downtown last Wednesday, at which time officials explained the major changes in the project and announced that the project has risen in cost from $800 million to $950 million. They will present the same details to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Dec. 3.
Site Plan Review Letter of Complete Determination Nov 2015