SPRINGFIELD — After years of back-and-forth conversations and several spirited discussions in prolonged meetings, MGM Springfield finally gained approval from the Springfield Historical Commission on Thursday regarding the mitigation of historic properties in the planned casino footprint.

While the commission two weeks ago approved MGM's plans regarding three historic properties, it was split on the fate of the old YWCA building. But on Thursday, as MGM detailed a few revisions to the previous pitch, the commission approved the plan in a 3-2 vote, as commissioners Vincent Walsh and Marjorie Guess were not present.

Commissioner Robert McCarroll reiterated his previous position, saying, "I just can't sign off on the demolition of a historical building for the cul-de-sac issues."

Commission Chair Ralph Slate said he agreed with McCarroll, as he believes "there has to be a better solution" than has been presented.

Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant explains the fire code requires a cul-de-sac as pitched by MGM Springfield in relation to the closing of Howard Street. (Republican photo by Robert Rizzuto)

Commissioners My-Ron Hatchett, Benjamin Murphy and Steven Shultis all voted to approve the MGM plan.

The pitch from MGM involves recreating the facade of the old YWCA building, perpendicular across Howard Street just west of the old State Armory, most of which will be used in the casino plan. The building, which would be designed and built to look like the current structure, would house a sports bar, the bowling alley and some retail shops. It would have height and width comparable to the current structure and a prominent visibility from Main and Howard streets.

MGM plans to demolish the building, built in 1907 to house the Young Women's Christian Association and currently under the direction of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department. The building was sold to MGM by Lyman-Taylor Realty Co. LLC on Dec. 12 for $4,450,000.

Among the revisions MGM presented on Thursday were a modification to the large jumbotron on the front of the building to add ornamental black framing and the recreation of a portico that is currently on the rear of the present building. Murphy asked MGM to consider replicating two other ornamental porticoes that have since been removed from the building, and the company said it was happy to work with the commission regarding such a plan.

Hunter Clayton, senior vice president of development for MGM Resorts International, shows the new plan to recreate the facade of the old YWCA with a view from Main Street as the company worked toward compromise with the Springfield Historical Commission on Thursday night. (Republican photo by Robert Rizzuto)

While the commission initially wanted the entire building saved and later receded to requesting the facade be saved, MGM contended it had to be torn down to make way for a cul-de-sac that is required by law to accommodate DPW code and emergency vehicles as MGM plans to dead-end Howard Street a short distance from Main Street.

Last week, MGM held a groundbreaking ceremony at the old Zanetti School down the street with hopes of landing the final approval to begin construction in the coming weeks.

With the local historical commission's approval, the tentative MGM site plan will now go to the Massachusetts Historic Commission, while the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has the final say as to whether MGM has done its duty to honor the historical aspects of the South End neighborhood where the 14.5-acre casino complex will be built.

Additionally, the final MGM Springfield site plan must be cleared by the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development and the City Council.