MGM Resorts International, a US-based hospitality company, has unveiled plans to develop an $800 million dining, retail and entertainment district on about 10 acres of land in Downtown Springfield, Massachusetts.
The more than half-million square feet mixed-used development project would include a 25-storey 250-room hotel with amenities including a spa, pool and roof deck; 89,000 square feet of gaming space; about 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space that would accommodate 15 shops and restaurants; and a multi-level parking garage.
Plans also envision 130,000 square feet dining, retail and entertainment district, tentatively named Armory Square, and directly accessible from the garage parking. It would include about 25 dining and retail venues including a 12-screen cinema, bowling alley and outdoor stage, to be developed by Davenport Properties of Boston, Massachusetts, in partnership with MGM on land now occupied by the tornado-ravaged South End Community Center and Howard Street School.
The concept for a central downtown retail and entertainment district also includes a pedestrian bridge between the MGM project and the MassMutual Center. The new development would also include 40,000 square feet of market-rate one- and two-bedroom apartments, new homes for the young professionals working in a revived downtown entertainment district.
The development is expected to create numerous permanent direct jobs including more than 2,000 construction-related jobs and many other additional indirect jobs. MGM Springfield is also expected to generate millions in annual tax revenues.
