Penn National releases renderings of casino development

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Penn National Gaming released new renderings of the exterior of the proposed $807 million casino and hotel development to be located in the north end of Springfield.  The new design includes an outdoor patio dining area as well as plaza area outside the entrance to the hotel creating a more seamless link between the casino and Main Street and downtown Springfield.

“A major focus of our project is ensuring that it is about more than just the casino, and results in new economic development that cascades down Main Street into the heart of the downtown,” said Penn National Gaming President and COO Tim Wilmott.  “We believe one of the benefits of the updated design is that it will link the casino and hotel more seamlessly to Main Street and encourage visitors to venture into the downtown area.”    

Penn National has been in active negotiations with the city on a host agreement for several weeks.  The updated design incorporates feedback provided to Penn National by the city during that process.  The updated design also eliminates the sky bridges that linked the casino and hotel to Union Station and the Paramount Theater.  Those changes were also made at the suggestion of the city.

Penn National has proposed an $807 million, single-phase, comprehensive economic development project that includes a Hollywood-branded destination casino resort.  Penn National is partnering with Peter Picknelly, Chief Executive Officer of Springfield-based Peter Pan Bus Lines, on the project that would be located on 13.4 acres of land on Main Street in the north end of Springfield.