I-Team: "Big E" land option offers

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The "Big E" will announce its plans to partner with Hard Rock Friday morning.  

The 22News I-Team broke this story and are discovering how far the plan could stretch off the "Big E" grounds. 

Wednesday, several property owners told the 22News I-Team the "Big E" was inquiring about an option to buy their land.  Thursday the I-Team dug deeper to see just how big this casino proposal could be.  

The "Big E's" major casino announcement will reveal more than just their partnership with Hard Rock.  It will detail a traffic plan that could stretch all the way from Route 5 to Circuit Avenue.  It will include a major concert venue and retail space, but the "Big E" grounds may not be big enough.  

The 22news I-team discovered the "Big E" has been looking into some more land off its grounds, but it doesn't appear the casino plan stretches across Memorial Avenue.

The 22News went to West Springfield Town Hall and got the list of property owners in the area.  

The owner of the Monte Carlo told 22News she didn't believe they were contacted, but her father-in-law owns the property.  Joe Bonavita owns a property at 1060 Memorial Avenue, but he told 22News the "Big E" hasn't been in touch with him.  

Bradley Car Wash has been contacted by the "Big E".  Fathers and Sons owner Damon Cartelli didn't want to comment when asked about if he's been contacted, but he also owns two other pieces or property closer to the "Big E".   The owner of the Kids Place told 22News they have not been contacted.  

The 22News I-Team went to several others businesses on Memorial Avenue.  Spartan Auto Care and the surrounding property is owned by Nick Katsoulis. He told 22News the "Big E" has been in touch.  

WRB Auto Sales has not been, neither has the owner of the property where Mr. Tint is.  We weren't able to get in touch with the owner of Central Chevrolet.  We know the property does not stretch into Century Plaza.  Andrew Cohen told 22News, the "Big E" hasn't called him.  

The plan could stretch back onto Circuit Avenue closer to the Westfield River.  Robert Kushner who owns about 10 acres near Gate 9 says a representative has met with him twice in the past few months.