Quonset Casino Talks Heat Up on Smith Hill
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Less than a week into the new General Assembly session, several state lawmakers say they are drafting legislation that would allow a casino at Quonset Point, and at least one State Representative says he is concerned about what a casino could mean for jobs for the area.
Rep. Joseph A. Trillo said again this week that he believes Quonset is an ideal spot for a gambling facility, because of good highway access, an airport and a deep-water port that could handle luxury liners and other cruise ships. He said the site could be host to one of the biggest casinos in the world.
But State Senator James Sheehan has decided to oppose any plans, arguing that casino-related jobs aren’t the best idea for Quonset.
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“A few weeks ago, with the approach of the new legislative year, I had anticipated legislative discussions about gambling, primarily setting the terms for the ballot question voters will face in fall regarding a full casino at Twin River in Lincoln,” Sheehan said. “Over the past few weeks, word had started to trickle out that some had designs on Quonset for a casino. Now, because that talk has made it into the public venue – talk radio and our local newspapers – I want to express my concerns and reservations about a large scale Foxwoods-style casino at Quonset. The commerce park has been developing well under good management and boasts thousands of jobs and it is those types of jobs that we should be seeking to draw into the park – good, well-paying, long-lasting jobs for Rhode Island workers.”
Build a World Class Casino
But Trillo maintains that with the state acing an estimated $120 million deficit and an increase in competition in the gaming business from Massachusetts, Quonset would be the ideal place to build a casino that would compete with the rest of the world, let alone New England. In November, Trillo said the competition could destroy Lincoln-based Twin River.
“Most people think by putting table games at Lincoln is going to solve the problem, it’s not,” Trillo said.
“[A Foxboro casino] is going to totally wipe out Lincoln. It will probably bring revenue down by two-thirds. They could end up back in bankruptcy. It’s going to definitely make a monumental dent in our revenue.”
Trillo said the solution would be a resort at Quonset. He said that would be the ideal location because visitors would have the ability to reach the area through the air, on cruise ships, and on trains, not to mention a brand new highway he claims is underused.
“If we built the right facility there, we would suck business out of Foxwoods,” Trillo said. “We have underutilized Quonset Point ever since we took it over from the government and this is a real opportunity. We already have everything we need. I’m talking a world class casino. I’m not talking a dog track that’s been converted to tables.”
Numerous Pitfalls
But Sheehan, who represents North Kingstown, said he believes local voters would be opposed.
In anticipation of discussions about a casino in Quonset, Sheehan has already written to the members of the North Kingstown City Council, asking for a meeting of local officials and members of the North Kingstown legislative delegation to begin a dialogue on the issue.
“Gambling is a very unique industry,” he said, “and it carries with it numerous pitfalls for any host community and beyond. That is why our state constitution requires the approval of local residents before any expansion of gambling is allowed. I am confident that an overwhelming majority of residents of North Kingstown share my deep concerns about the impact that such a vast facility would have on our town.”
