Vote on Fall River casino on hold

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) - Fall River officials say they need more time before they vote on a proposal for a resort-style casino.

The city's Redevelopment Authority tabled the proposal until next week, following several hours of intense discussion at a public meeting.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe said Monday it has struck a deal with the city to develop "an integrated resort-style casino." Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said the agreement offers an economic opportunity for the tribe while creating thousands of jobs in the Fall River area.

Mayor William Flanagan said the proposed casino is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the cash-strapped city. He said it would create 3,000 to 5,000 permanent jobs, and another 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs.

The Fall River plan includes a casino, three hotels, a shopping mall, convention facilities, showroom and spa built on approximately 300 acres of land.

The tribe is considering a site along Route 24. However, it's also the designated of a proposed biotechnology park, which has been in the works for years.

Some lawmakers and residents fear losing the bitotech park to pursue the casino could be a blow to the city.

"Beware of fools' gold," one person cautioned at Monday's public meeting.

"I don't want to lose the bio park," said State Representative Kevin Aguiar. He also responded claims the city could have a casino and a revised bio park.

"Personally, I don't think we can do that," Aguiar said. "I think it's one or the other."

Mayor Flanagan said the city was already in talks with UMass about finding a new site for the biotech park. He added that the city is in desperate need of revenue and jobs, which he said a casino could provide in a relatively short amount of time.

The Massachusetts House has passed legislation that would license two resort casinos. The Senate has yet to release their bill.