The Southcoast Could Still See a Casino

According to WPRI's Shaun Towne, the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is moving forward with plans to construct a casino in Taunton just days after securing the land from the federal government.

Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell, Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. and other city and tribal leaders came together Monday to announce the details of “Project First Light.”

The 150,000 square-foot resort casino will be located near Routes 24 and 140 and will feature slots, table games, restaurants, hotels and a water park.

On Friday, the Department of the Interior approved the tribe’s 2007 land-in-trust application, ending a long-standing effort to take control of 151 acres of land in Taunton and clearing the way for their casino hopes.

Under the agreement between the tribe and Taunton, the city will receive an annual payment of at least $8 million. The Mashpees estimate the project will create 1,000 construction jobs and 2,650 permanent jobs.

In 2012, 63 percent of Taunton voters approved the plan to break ground on the project in the spring of 2016.