Casino, city officials getting ready for next step in search process

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield's casino consultant is meeting with the City Council and Casino Site Committee Monday night, to bring both groups up to speed as the next deadline in the search process approaches.

Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy told 22News that he met with the consultants on Monday. The city is starting to do its economic, financial and transportation impact studies. 

On January 3, Penn National in the North End and MGM in the South End will have to hand in their final proposals. 

Kennedy told 22News not to expect too many new developments in the process between now and then.

"Not much will occur publicly. All the different analysis and studies and the background that we need to do to, know where we stand with a host of issues, meeting with department heads, looking at sites by the different consultants; all those things, the background things, will be going on,” Kennedy said.

Since MGM and Penn National have already paid the state their application fee, Kennedy is hoping for a casino referendum in June.