Holyoke Mall Sparks Trump Casino Interest
Trump Marina, one of the three Atlantic City, NJ casinos owned by Trump Entertainment
Holyoke Mayor and Citizens Question Value. "Where will we shop?" others ask.
December 1, 2007--Holyoke's Mayor, Michael Sullivan, has said that over the summer Trump Entertainment expressed interest in buying the Holyoke Mall for a proposed casino site conversion.
The Ingleside Mall, owned by The Pyramid Companies, has been for sale for about a year, and offers an established infrastructure and prime location favorable for a casino. As Mayor Sullivan said, "Where else can [someone] buy a one and a half million square foot building?"
In an interview broadcast at the MassLive.com website on August 22, 2007, Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan said Casino's are a "tax on the poor" and raised the question of how much income a casino in Holyoke would actually generate for the city. Sullivan went on to say that the Casinos are being proposed in Massachusetts because of their perceived ability to solve the states financial problems. He indicated this would not necessarily translate to a windfall for Holyoke.
However, a Holyoke casino could mean direct competition with neighboring Connecticut casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. A Holyoke site would be conveniently located (at the intersection of Rt. 90 and 91), and a shorter ride from Bradley International Airport than the two other casinos.
In light of the recent announcement of a summer meeting with representatives of Trump Entertainment, it would appear that Holyoke is remaining alert and open-minded. As the Mayor pointed out Holyoke leadership wants to be at the table, and educated on the issues surrounding Casinos in Western Mass. No one wants to miss the boat.