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Mayor Walsh Signs Surrounding
Community Agreement with Mohegan Sun
BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin
J. Walsh signed a Surrounding Community Agreement with Mohegan Sun
Massachusetts. The deal provides for an estimated $300M in investments in Boston
over a 15-year period.
“This was a difficult decision, but I have a responsibility as the Mayor of
Boston to protect the best interests of our City, and of those in the
neighborhood most impacted by this proposal,” said Mayor Walsh. “Mohegan Sun has
engaged fully with our team and with this City, with a clear intent to be a good
neighbor to our community. I appreciate their willingness to come to the table
and work together on a deal that supports and strengthens Boston’s
infrastructure and economy.”
With this agreement, Mohegan Sun Massachusetts will invest $45M in
transportation improvements to the City of Boston and the area surrounding the
casino site. The City of Boston will receive $30M over 10 years for local
capital projects in East Boston, and will receive a minimum of $18M annually to
mitigate the community impact of the casino development. This community impact
annual payment will increase based on gross gaming revenue calculated in a given
year.
In addition, Mohegan has pledged to use local vendors for goods and services for
their facilities, which will inject upwards of $50M into the Boston economy.
Mohegan has also pledged to give preference to East Boston residents when hiring
to fill positions in the construction phase of the plan, and in the jobs that
become available with the casino and its affiliates upon opening.
If there is an attempt to introduce a gaming- or casino-related facility in any
part of property located in East Boston, Mohegan agrees to address Boston as a
host community as they engage in the plans. This will immediately trigger a vote
for community members, and a discussion of new, revised mitigation as a host
community.
As part and parcel of today’s transaction, the City of Boston also signed an
agreement with Suffolk Downs which will preserve hundreds of jobs and secure
revenue through continued property and real estate taxes. Suffolk Downs has
agreed that they will keep their track open for the duration of the casino
license for Region A. In addition, if Suffolk Downs begins any reconstruction or
revitalization of their property, the City of Boston will serve in a master
planning and oversight role.
This agreement was signed at approximately 4:00 p.m. today in the Mayor’s
Office.
More:
Rep. Basile Statement |
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