MGM Discussing Major Changes To Springfield Casino Design

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — MGM is presenting significant changes to its planned $800 million Springfield, Massachusetts casino.

The Las Vegas casino giant's proposal is the focus of a 4 p.m. forum Wednesday at City Stage. MGM will give a presentation and answer questions from city officials.

The company wants to eliminate a 25-story hotel tower and replace it with a six-story hotel with the same number of 250 rooms. MGM is also proposing to move an apartment complex off the 14-acre site to another downtown location and scale back the overall size of the resort by about 14 percent.

MGM says the design changes, which require city and state approval, are needed because of rising building costs.

The company is also expected to publicly discuss the changes with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.