MGM Springfield, the $960-million integrated resort slated to open doors in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 24, will offer free parking to customers and the general public, a spokesman for the property told local media late last week.
News about the free parking opportunities at the property emerged after media outlets The Republican and MassLive raised questions about how the resort would handle the expected increase in traffic once it opens doors and how it would help mitigate parking issues.
Saverio Mancini, a spokesman for MGM Springfield, said last week that they will provide more details about how both visitors and the general public will be able to access the property and its facilities, including its free parking.
Las Vegas gaming and hospitality giant MGM Resorts International is currently building a seven-story garage with nearly 3,400 parking spaces as part of its resort. An opening date for the garage is yet to be announced.
MGM kicked off construction on what would be Massachusetts’ first integrated resort with a commercially operated casino in 2016. The property is located across three blocks on Main Street, State Street, East Columbus Avenue, and Union Street. The parking garage itself is located at Union Street and East Columbus Avenue.
It was estimated that nearly 500 parking spaces were lost in the area as a result from the resort’s construction. In addition, nearby organizations and businesses faced parking complications. Free valet parking, funded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, has been offered to businesses operating in the area so that parking issues be mitigated.
Parking Fees in Las Vegas
MGM introduced parking fees for visitors of its Las Vegas properties in 2016, and raised them earlier this year. According to reports from local news outlets, the fees vary from one property to another.
The move started a trend among the largest operators of hotel and casino resorts both on the Las Vegas Strip and in downtown, as Caesars and Wynn Resorts, too, began charging their customers for parking.
In Springfield, MGM hired New York-based Tishman Construction and local fir Fontaine Bros. Inc. back in 2016 to build the parking garage as part of its integrated resort.
In a separate set of announcements from late last month, it became known that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has allowed MGM to serve complementary drinks to active gamblers until 4 am. Under state laws, dining and beverage facilities are not allowed to serve alcohol past 2 am.
At MGM Springfield, the service of alcohol will only be available to casino patrons who are gambling actively between 2 am and 4 am as per the resort’s agreement with state gaming regulators.
The hotel and casino complex is set hold its grand opening ceremony on August 24. It will feature a six-story hotel, a casino with multiple gaming machines and table games, a number of food and beverage facilities and entertainment options for visitors.
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