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September 20, 2013

Studies: No Major Impacts From Leominster Slots

With just days before Leominster voters cast ballots that will decide whether plans for a proposed slots parlor can go forward, two impact studies released by city officials conclude that a gambling facility would benefit the city.

The studies focusing on the $200-million Jungle Road development were released this week. They are a requirement of the state gaming commission and were called for by city leaders. The studies were paid for by the developer, PPE Casino Resorts, a subsidiary of Baltimore-based Cordish Cos.

According to B&S Consulting, hired by the city, Leominster would see a net positive impact from the development. That’s because the development is expected to have little social impact, while bringing $29 million in salaries to the Leominster area. PPE would spend at least $50 million on goods and services, with half expected to stay local. The B&S study said the local economy would grow by $50 million to $60 million after the slots parlor opens.

Regarding infrastructure, B&S said its inspections found that there would be sufficient water and sewer capacity on Jungle Road because, when the nearby Wal-Mart project was developed, more infrastructure was built than necessary because officials expected additional development. That’s something Mayor Dean Mazzarella has stressed throughout discussions about the potential gaming facility.

B&S also conducted an analysis for Raynham, one of the other two locations in the running for the state’s single slots parlor, and found that a facility with 1,250 slots and about 800 restaurant seats would generate about 25,000 gallons of water and sewer demand per day. But it said Leominster has more than enough capacity - 28,000 gallons per day – to handle this project.

B&S also said it doesn’t expect to spend a lot of money to adjust the intersection at Jungle Road, which was also built during the Wal-Mart project with future development anticipated.

Woodard & Curran, an engineering firm based in Maine, also conducted a study focusing on infrastructure, traffic and environmental impacts and met with various city departments to gauge their potential concerns. The firm found “no critical issues associated with the project.”

Woodard & Curran said the city will have multiple opportunities to conduct detailed reviews of the project as the developer moves forward with the permitting process. Most of what city officials mentioned in conversations with the firm were related to state and local permitting requirements, the firm said.

Mazzarella signed a host community agreement with PPE in July, a deal that would bring at least $3.8 million a year to the city. The company has said the project will create at least 600 construction jobs and 500 to 700 permanent jobs.

In addition to Leominster and Raynham, Plainville is vying for the state’s sole slots license, expected to be granted by the gaming commission in December. Voters in Raynham and Plainville have already approved proposals in their communities by overwhelming margins.

(Image credit: freedigitalphotos.net)

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