Posted on: December 4, 2024, 07:13h.
Last updated on: December 4, 2024, 07:13h.
Salem, New Hampshire’s planning board last week gave the go-ahead to place a charitable gaming property in a former Lord & Taylor store.
By a five-to-two vote, officials approved the use at The Mall at Rockingham Park. The Live! Casino will cost about $160M to construct.
When likely open in 2025, the three-story space will include some 900 historic racing machines and about 40 gaming tables. Also, it will have a movie theater, sports lounge, golf simulators, retail shops, restaurants, bars, and space for live entertainment.
Traffic, Public Safety Concerns
During the meeting, several concerns about the project were raised by a lawyer, Amy Manzelli, representing neighboring property owners: Jamie and Chris Cummings.
This application is not approvable because it does not provide enough information about how it will impact the neighborhood around it,” Manzelli argued before the planning board, according to the Eagle-Tribune, a regional news outlet.
“It requires the consideration of public health and safety and the general welfare, comfort and convenience of the residents of the immediate neighborhood.”
Issues she raised include public safety, traffic impact, lighting impact, and additional impacts on pedestrians and bicyclists. Other concerns were raised about a prior deed restriction which forbid gambling at the location.
But many members of the public speaking at the meeting were supportive of the casino.
Ten years ago, the town voted in support to bring this type of facility to town,” Salem Town Council Chair Joe Sweeney said. “This is an exciting time and something the town has wanted for a bit. This is a positive development I am supportive of.”
Construction is likely to start early next year. Later, the complex may add a hotel. The former Lord & Taylor store basically has been vacant since 2020. The mall is located near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border.
Based on current projections, the casino will generate some $31M in revenue each year to the state of New Hampshire and approved charities. Once open, it also will create more than 700 permanent jobs.
Developers of the project are Joe Faro and Sal Lupoli, as well as the Cordish Companies.
Another Casino To Open
Another charitable casino, located in Nashua, New Hampshire’s Pheasant Lane Mall, is expected to soon open. It was named The Nash Casino.
The casino will include more than 1K historic horse race machines and dozens of table games. It will be placed in a two-story, 180,000-square-foot former Sears store. The store has been vacant since 2020.
ECL Entertainment and Clairvest are the developers behind the casino.
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