Holyoke Begins Review Process For Casino Projects

Officials in Holyoke Massachusetts are  moving quickly to entertain casino proposals after the mayor unexpectedly opened the door to developers.   WAMC”s Paul Tuthill reports

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Credit Alex Morse

   Two  would-be casino developers each paid $25,000 application fees to Holyoke.  The payments were due Friday.  The fees are to cover the city’s initial expenses to review the casino proposals.  The developers have three weeks to submit an outline of their projects to the city.  Holyoke’s Economic Development office put out a set of criteria for a casino development and a schedule for the application process, after Mayor Alex Morse , once an outspoken casino critic, said he would now listen to offers.  One developer wants to build a casino at an outdoor concert venue. Another group has an option to build on a golf course. Both sites are adjacent to Interstate 91.    Holyoke is a late comer to the western Massachusetts casino sweepstakes, which already includes three projects in Springfield and one in Palmer.