The Town Council in West Springfield, in the US state of Massachusetts, has set September 10 as the date for a referendum on Hard Rock Hotel and Casino New England’s proposal to build an $800m casino project there.
The referendum asks: "Shall the city of West Springfield permit the operation of a gaming establishment licensed by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be located at, and in the vicinity of, the grounds of Eastern States Exposition on Memorial Avenue?"
Mark Rivers the developer working with Hard Rock and the Eastern States Exposition, has expressed appreciation that councillors want to set a referendum date sooner rather than later.
Rivers has said that he wants the maximum length of time to engage and educate voters about the project.
Hard Rock would like to construct a destination resort casino project on 38 acres. Plans include a 12-storey hotel, a Hard Rock Cafe and a parking deck.
Hard Rock has also taken out options to buy property along Circuit Avenue, which would be on of the egresses to the project, to use for additional parking.
