ENFIELD — More than 200 people attended "a community conversation" Thursday night, and those who spoke gave a nearly resounding "no" to the idea of a $200 million casino at the Enfield Square Mall.
The few residents who spoke in favor of the casino said it would help with taxes and spur local jobs.
Claire Thomas, the first of almost 40 people to speak, simply said: "I do not want a casino in our area." A round of applause erupted from the crowd at John F. Kennedy Middle School's auditorium.
"It's not good for our children and schools, family values would be eroded, traffic is already horrendous," Thomas continued.
"Crime will infiltrate throughout the town, there'll be more break-ins at houses, every resident and homeowner will be affected," Annemarie Olsen said. "I've lived in Enfield all my life, I lived here when Enfield was Thompsonville, I don't want to consider moving my family away because I do not want to live with a casino monster in Enfield."
Commenting on the Casino Proposal
Enfield resident Ken Edgar tells the audience not to say no to a casino yet, on Thursday night where members of the Enfield community voiced their opinions on the possibility that the Enfield Square Mall be developed into a casino. (Lauren Schneiderman / Hartford Courant)
On Sept. 8, management from Enfield Square Mall met with the town council to discuss a proposal for development at the mall, which would include a casino at the current Macy's Men's Department Store. Since then, discussion about a casino has only intensified throughout town.
Thursday night, mall management again shared a casino proposal, but with some updates.
The development would come in phases: first, an approximately 152,000-square-foot casino with a 300-room, six-story flagship hotel, dining and entertainment, as well as a parking deck to accommodate 1,200 cars. The second phase would include office space in the Enfield Square Mall building, and restaurants, a skating rink and a 16-screen cinema.
Enfield Square Mall Pitches Possible Casino Development To Town Council
Enfield Square Mall Pitches Possible Casino Development To Town Council
Additionally, the casino would also look to utilize the Hallmark Cards distribution center on Bacon Road as a possible convention center and work on projects in the village of Thompsonville, mall Manager Marty Pelosi said after the nearly three-hour public hearing. Earlier this summer, Hallmark announced it would close, eliminating approximately 500 jobs.
Though most of the feedback was in opposition to a casino, many speakers indicated they understand the economic hardships the mall is facing and that this is a way to address that.
"We'll still be there if the casino isn't," Pelosi said. "I've been using the same line all night — We're not in partnership with the casino, we want to partner with the town, we've been a member of this community and we want to give back."
Pelosi said his staff has informally polled Enfield residents visiting the mall, and of the 300 people they questioned, 164 said they favor the casino development at the mall and 136 were opposed to it, Pelosi said. Those against the development cited concerns about traffic, crime and lowered home values.
Several in attendance asked questions Thursday night.
Resident Ken Edgar said he wanted to consider the proposal before saying "no."
"I want to see lower taxes. What else will bring us some development, jobs?" Edgar asked. "I really haven't seen anything else to help out."
Connie Provencher said, "I'm totally torn. I love our town. I want good things for our town, but I don't know what that is."
Rebecca Olsen, a member of the town's revitalization committee said the town should have a backup plan.
"My concern is, even if everyone in this room is in favor, it doesn't mean we'll get it," Olsen said.
Margaret Perry said, "Enfield is never going to be a destination stop no matter how you try to paint it."
Gerald Macsata said he is opposed to a casino. "Why stop here when Springfield is right up the road?" he asked.
State Sen. John Kissel, who represents Enfield, Suffield and Somers, said he is concerned about legal issues, referring to the lawsuit MGM has filed against the state. MGM claims that the law setting forth a process for the tribes to pick a site discriminates against any other potential casino developers.
"Enfield is a town, not a city. It has town values and I want to make sure those town values stay," the longtime Republican official said. To the council, he added, "I urge you not to raise this issue at the next town council meeting and if you do, vote it down."
Earlier Thursday, the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes released their request for proposal, a 20-page document that is to be submitted by a town interested in developing a casino.
After the meeting, Mayor Scott Kaupin said he opposes the idea of a casino but has reserved his judgment up to this point to give the mall an opportunity to present its proposal to residents.
"I have to base it off all the contact I've received, which has been overwhelmingly against," Kaupin said.
Kaupin said next, he will ask his fellow council members whether they want to move forward with the casino proposal process. He said the council would have to act on the item at a council meeting, and if there's any interest it would likely be placed on the Oct. 19 town council agenda meeting.