Work on the much anticipated MGM Springfield, a $950-million casino resort in downtown Springfield, is set to gain momentum after a series of setbacks. 

The new casino was due to be completed and launched in 2017, but after a series of delays, the casino is now expected to open in the fall of 2018.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, held on March 24, 2015, the MGM Springfield project was subjected to a comprehensive review by the city’s historic preservation authority related to the razing of old buildings in downtown Springfield.

Later in 2015, MGM Resorts requested from the state permission to launch its complex in September 2018, a month after the planned completion of Interstate 91’s rehabilitation. The Las Vegas casino operator pointed out that if its casino opens in 2017, as originally projected, the construction work on the nearby highway may impact negatively on the casino.

Further delays came from several major design changes where a proposed replacement of a 6-story building instead of the planned 25-story glass hotel was made.

Despite the changes, the project’s cost increased from $800 million to $950 million mainly due to updated material, labor, and administrative costs.

Commenting on what has been done during the first year after groundbreaking, Micheal Mathis, President of MGM Springfield, said that workers have been doing underground utility work and that a number of downtown buildings have already been partially razed or demolished completely to clear the 14.5-acre site where the complex is to be located.

Mr. Mathis said that they are now in preparation for beginning construction work on the first major structure – a parking garage with about 3,400 spaces. The official revealed that 700 constitution workers have been hired so far. A total of 2,000 temporary jobs are to be created during construction and 3,000 permanent jobs when the venue opens doors.