East Hartford Mayor Mayor Marcia Leclerc has been given the go-ahead to seek a casino. The town has identified the long-vacant Showcase Cinemas property on Silver Lane off I-84 as its single preferred site for development of an entertainment and gaming complex.
It is expected the mayor will take action in the next two weeks to let MMCT Venture LLC, the Mashantucket Pequot/Mohegan Tribal joint venture, know of the town’s strong interest. The town council backed the proposal because it believes it could provide additional tax revenue; boost local employment; and, add nightlife that will attract non-gaming consumers.
However, East Hartford faces strong competition. The owners of the Enfield Square mall have presented a request to the Enfield Town Council. The Connecticut Airport Authority, which runs Bradley International Airport, has also expressed an interest in a casino being located at its facility.
Silver Lane Partners LLC has been working closely with the mayor and town officials for several months in advancing a development plan for consideration by the tribes. Silver Lane Partners holds an option to acquire the long-shuttered Showcase property, which has sat vacant for nine years. The Town Council’s action Tuesday night fulfills a requirement of the Tribal RFP and follows a recent unanimous vote of the East Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission in support of a Phase I Special Permit Use Application for the abandoned Showcase Cinemas building.
Leclerc said in a statement, “This is a great opportunity to provide a venue for entertainment, rehabilitate a significant commercial corridor in our community, create jobs, expand our grand list, and complement the activities at Pratt and Whitney Stadium (UConn Football), the hoped-for Horizon Outlet Center proposed for Rentschler Field, and, of course, the new UTC World Headquarters.”
Read more
