Springfield to host public casino forum

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Residents of Springfield will get a chance to judge the city's two casino proposals side-by-side. It's a chance for residents and business owners to ask questions and hear the details of the two proposals.

If Springfield is chosen as the host community, there would either be a Penn National casino in the North End, or an MGM casino in the South End.

A third company, Ameristar Casinos, recently withdrew from the Springfield competition.

The public forum is at City Stage at 5 p.m. Tuesday. It'll last for at least four hours.

Each developer will get half an hour to pitch their plan and then take questions from residents and businesses owners. Questions are limited to two minutes each.

Mayor Domenic Sarno is expected to decide sometime early next year whether to negotiate a host community agreement with one or both of the remaining developers.

If your planning to go to the public forum, the city is offering free parking in the Columbus Center Garage across the street from City Stage.