The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has officially been deemed a sovereign territory by the United States government, according to Boston’s WCVB. With the approval, the group can move along with plans to build and operate a tribal casino.
The $500 million First Light Resort & Casino will be located in Taunton, Mass., a town about 40 miles south of Boston and nearly 20 miles east of Providence, R.I.
The tribe was awarded 321 acres of land in 2007, with 151 in Taunton and 170 in Mashpee, Mass., which is an hour away.
The plan for a casino has been in motion since 2012. Designed by JCJ Architecure, First Light will feature a 150,000-sf casino (with 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, and 40 poker tables), a buffet, a steakhouse, a food court, 10 retail stores, and more than 4,500 parking spaces between a garage and lot.
The hotel portion will have 600 rooms, a 15,000-sf event center, and a 25,000-sf indoor and outdoor water park. Construction on the resort can start as early as next spring.
The tribe says that the casino and resort will generate 1,000 union construction job and $140 million in direct and indirect economic benefit to Taunton and the region annually.
Related Stories
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Mar 7, 2013
Vegas rebound: Genting Group acquires assets of stalled Vegas casino-resort
International hospitality giant Genting Group has announced a deal with Boyd Gaming Corp. to purchase the land and assets, including partially built structures, of the stalled Echelon casino-resort in Las Vegas.
| Jul 24, 2012
$20 Million expansion at New Orleans casino announced
150-room hotel project to include suites, fitness center, and meeting space.
| Jun 1, 2012
New BD+C University Course on Insulated Metal Panels available
By completing this course, you earn 1.0 HSW/SD AIA Learning Units.
| May 29, 2012
Reconstruction Awards Entry Information
Download a PDF of the Entry Information at the bottom of this page.
