Tribal leaders of the state’s planned $300 million casino in East Windsor say construction will commence this fall with an anticipated opening in spring 2020.
The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes recently released plans for the 188,000-square-foot entertainment and gaming facility that stands to create or preserve almost 4,300 jobs.
The tribes are collaborating on the joint project — MMCT Venture LLC — to ward off competition from MGM’s new $960 million Springfield casino opening in August.
The updated renderings, recently submitted to East Windsor officials, showcase the one-story casino with its abutting five-level parking garage. Tribe officials say the casino will provide about 1,800 slot machines, 50 table games and 10 poker tables.
The renderings were revealed ahead of East Windsor’s Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing on Wednesday.
Officials said the development will create at least 650 jobs for Hartford area residents. At least 325 and 150 new jobs will be given to residents in Hartford and East Hartford, respectively. Another 175 will be given to residents in East Windsor, Windsor Locks and other nearby municipalities.
More than 2,000 men and women will assist the project’s construction efforts, officials said.
“Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have created good paying jobs with benefits for many working families,” said Beverley Brakeman, assistant director of the United Auto Workers Region 9A. “Getting this project up and running in East Windsor is critical to ensure that Connecticut’s casino industry continues to offer its gaming residents a high quality experience provided by highly skilled and competent employees.”
The casino is being built at the former Showcase Cinema theater along Route 5. Construction crews demolished the abandoned movie theater in March.
