Ameristar to unveil plan at 10:00AM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - At 10:00AM Tuesday, Ameristar will reveal their plans for a casino in East Springfield.

The Nevada-based gaming company want to build on a 41-acre lot on Page Boulevard, right off Interstate 291. Ameristar purchased the land, the former Westinghouse property, for $16 million in a deal announced in November of 2011.

Ameristar's proposal is the most expensive of the city's three casino proposals, at a cost of more than $900-million. They say their casino would create 2,800 permanent jobs and they've signed an agreement with local unions to build it.

Ameristar's CEO will be at the unveiling to announce key partnerships with businesses, and to reveal renderings of the casino.

The Ameristar casino plan also includes building an interchange off I-291 that would bring traffic into the parking garages.

MGM has plans for a casino along Main Street in the South End, while Penn National wants to develop on land including the properties of the Republican newspaper and Peter Pan Bus Lines in the North End. Part of Penn National's plan includes buying the Westinghouse lot from Ameristar if they are chosen for the casino license.

Mayor Domenic Sarno has until October 30 to decide how many developers can move on to phase two of the casino selection process.

Phase two includes negotiating a community impact fee and eventually a referendum vote for residents.