Foxwoods Massachusetts Plans to Increase Size of Casino Development

Foxwoods Massachusetts has informed officials in Milford that it plans to increase the size of the Milford casino development in order to stay competitive with the Suffolk Downs proposal in East Boston.

It is thought that the redesign will include an extra 200 hotel rooms and a larger gaming floor.

According to Selectmen Brian Murray and Bill Buckley it will result in taller buildings on the 200-acre site. They said that they were informed about the changes last week by the town’s attorneys.

Foxwoods also intends to increase its mitigation payments to Milford in response to pressure put on the developer to contribute more to the community.

The Foxwoods plan includes $18 million a year in tax payments to Milford plus an additional $15 million towards a community fund. So far Foxwood has declined to comment on the changes, a spokesman said, “since the agreement is an on-going negotiation we do not feel it’s appropriate to discuss it publicly at this time.

Buckley said that the changes need to be vetted by town officials including department heads asked to explore the impact on traffic, water, sewer and other town services. However, as they are still at the negotiation stage there is no problem with Foxwood submitting changes.