SPRINGFIELD — In accordance with the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act that paved the way for casino gaming in Massachusetts, the city of Springfield is establishing a Casino Liaison Office to coordinate permitting and correspondence between various city departments and MGM Resorts International staff working on the local $800 million casino.

With the goal of working to mitigate issues likely to arise during construction of MGM's 14.5-acre casino in the South End of the city, the new office is expected to exist for just over three years through MGM's grand opening, which is set for fall of 2017.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno's office on Tuesday announced the new office will be overseen by Kevin Kennedy, the city's chief development officer, and staffed by Al Chwalek, retired director of the Department of Public Works, and attorney James M. Hannifan.

"Due to the size and complexity of this multi-million dollar project, it is imperative that the City provide a direct point of contact as we move forward with the realization of this tremendous economic development project for the City of Springfield," Sarno said in a statement. "Both Al and Jim have direct knowledge of the development process and will be instrumental in making sure that when issues arise they can be dealt with directly and in a timely manner to ensure this project stays on track."

The Casino Liaison Office will coordinate the efforts of the various city departments involved in the development and construction of the casino project and serve as an information resource for the developer and as a representative and facilitator for developer in the processing of its permitting, licensing and regulatory approvals, according to Sarno's office.

The mayor also announced Tuesday he is assembling a casino development team that will be comprised of representatives from various city departments that will be affected in some way by the coming casino development. As part of the effort to create a casino development team, the city will also hire casino-related consultants including Fuss & O'Neil, a local traffic engineering consultant; The Chicago Consultants Studio, Inc., a Chicago based planning firm that will review site planning related issues; and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, formerly Shefsky & Froelich Ltd., a consultant specializing in legal matters relating to the gaming industry.

Sarno said the office will be paid for with money paid by MGM in accordance with the Host Community Agreement. The consultants are to be paid for by MGM, in accordance with a stipulation detailed in the Host Community Agreement.

"As we did during the casino review process, the city wants to ensure that we have a transparent and open process and that we also have the most qualified people to help guide one of the largest development projects in the City's history," Kennedy said. "This team of city departments and consultants, which will also be fully available to the City Council as part of their review, will help to play a major role in the permitting process and provide much needed input as we look forward in anticipation of the casino's opening in 2017."