MetroWest Officials Voice Casino Concerns
Regional planning and advocacy groups want the state legislature to make sure that communities and existing businesses are not left behind if casinos or expanded gaming is allowed in the state.
Representatives from three regional organizations wrote a joint letter to legislative leaders as well as the governor and lieutenant governor outlining concerns with a possible casino being located in the region, or anywhere in the state.
The 495/MetroWest Partnership, the SouthWest Advisory Planning Committee and the MetroWest Growth Management Committee all participated in drafting the letter. SWAP and MWGMC are both subdivisions of the Metropolitan Area Planning Committee in Boston.
The letter urges legislators to do a cost-benefit analysis that would study direct and indirect impacts of a casino on a specific area, including taking into account secondary impacts on existing businesses and alternative use studies.
"For example, in the I-495 area, gaming could be compared with the development of a suburban office park or biotechnology facility," the letter states.
The letter, which is not meant to voice support or opposition to a casino but rather relay concerns, also urges legislators to make sure that local communities maintain local zoning control. However, due to the magnitude of the review process, it also requests financial and professional assistance in reviewing casino proposals. Editor's note: Scroll down to read the letter in full.
It's unclear which areas of the state, if any, could see expanded gaming or a resort-style casino. Lawmakers are expected to release legislation regarding expanded gaming at some point in this legislative session.
The issue first came up two years ago when Gov. Deval Patrick pushed the idea as a way to create jobs and revenue.
Since the legislature shot down Patrick's plan in 2008, however, he has allowed legislators to take the lead in crafting expanded gaming laws. Lawmakers are now considering everything from allowing slot machines at racetracks to having large resort-style casino with adjoining hotels.
House Speaker Robert DeLeo seems open to the idea of expanded gaming, while many other legislators have been noncommittal. That includes State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, who chairs the joint committee on economic development, which would likely vet any gaming legislation.
Meanwhile, there have been rumors that a casino could be located somewhere in the south western portion of the state, or even in the MetroWest region. David Nunes, a Colorado developer has conceptual plans for a resort-style casino in Milford near I-495, but he's waiting to see if the legislature allows gaming in Massachusetts before submitting official plans, he has said.
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