New Bedford Hopeful for New Casino on Waterfront
Gov. Deval Patrick has stated that he favors three commercial casinos across the state, including one in Southeastern Massachusetts. City officials are convinced that casino development remains New Bedford’s best hope — maybe its only hope — for a brighter economic future.
Presently, there is no guarantee that one of the three licenses, estimated to be worth more than $200 million, would end up in New Bedford. Even if it did - would it be used to redevelop Hicks-Logan as a gateway to New Bedford?
After published reports stated that Gov. Patrick would prefer that his proposed Southeastern Massachusetts casino be located in New Bedford, the governor’s press office is remaining quite tight-lipped about possible locations and press aide Kyle Sullivan, said that the governor “is not going to be endorsing any particular location.”
Still, the feeling persists that Gov. Patrick, and plenty of other people, would like to see a casino help revive the New Bedford economy.
Mayor Scott W. Lang has said:
“The governor has made it plain to me that New Bedford is a key economic development area in the state, … The idea of a casino is something that goes hand in hand with that kind of priority. .. If there’s a preference for an urban casino, New Bedford is the No. 1 area in the state,” the mayor said.
