The MGM Springfield Casino project is steadily moving along as contractors continue to demolish areas within the footprint of the project. Over the past few weeks, crews have worked to move the First Spiritualist Church to a new location as well as demolish the YWCA building to make way for the new casino venue. On Friday, the demolition crew was on Howard Street, working on demolishing the back portion of the old state armory.

MGM has plans to preserve the front end of the armory while the rear portion will be removed. Plans for the MGM Casino have been changed many times and currently, an outdoor ice staking rink will be placed near the back portion of the armory. The armory was purchased by MGM as well as the nearby Zanetti School, for $3.2 million and an additional $166,295 in retroactive payments instead of taxes.

The property acquisitions by MGM have totaled more than $40 million for the Massachusetts casino project. The former Zanetti School was demolished previously and will be home to a parking structure.

The MGM Springfield casino will have a total cost of $950 million when completed and will see 14.5 acres of land redeveloped in Springfield. The area to be redeveloped spans from Main Street and East Columbus Avenue going east to west and from north to south, along State Street to Union Street.