Springfield or Palmer? Neighbors speak out

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Whether it's in Springfield or Palmer, a resort casino will have an impact on everyone in western Massachusetts.

Four casino developers are now eyeing western Massachusetts. Three are going for a location in Springfield... One wants Palmer.

But for people living in neighboring cities and towns like East Longmeadow and Longmeadow, it all comes down to a city vs. a rural area.

In 2014, the State Gaming Commission could give one casino developer a license to build in western Massachusetts. It’s a move that many Longmeadow and East Longmeadow residents would like to see.

Donald Barnard of Longmeadow told 22News “The unemployment is bad in this area. People spending money in Connecticut. My daughter is going tonight.”

Maureen Gentile said “They need one because we do go down to Connecticut a lot, and it's quite a bit of a ride.”

But exactly where should that multi-million dollar project go? Three developers have submitted applications to build in Springfield.

Liz Bazin of East Longmeadow told 22News she’d like to see a resort casino in Springfield.

“I think downtown doesn't have a lot going for it right now, so I think it'd be great to have something like that,” she said. “I think it'll bring more positives like jobs, people from out of town spending money in our area.”

But some neighboring cities' residents disagree.

Bon Gentile of East Longmeadow told 22News “Nothing for casino down there... It'll just ruin the city.”

Many people's biggest concern with Springfield locations? Traffic. They say the traffic on I-91 would be like a nightmare, and they also say finding a parking space in Palmer would be a lot easier.

Barnard said “It's out of the way. It's quick, right off the turnpike.”

For many people, Palmer's biggest appeal is its location, away from the hustle and bustle of a city. But the gaming commission has the final say in who will get to build where.