MGM casino view from Main Street. The developers opted for a style in character with surrounding properties. Note the 1940s-style 'hotel sign. Red Rose Pizza to the left.







Main Street from State. MGM preserved architectural character

Note the South End Market sign under MGM sign

Building at State and Main that seems primed for a new use.

It's not obvious from I-91 in Springfield the radical transformation underway in that city's downtown. You can catch a glimpse of the MGM casino from the highway, but it's not enough to give you a sense of the scale. For a better understanding, get off the highway and park near Main Street, which I did. And, frankly, I was wowed.Springfield is fortunate in that a lot of its older commercial buildings have survived redevelopment. The city has retained an urban feel.MGM could have walled off their casino from the city, much like a shopping mall. But they did the exact opposite.They made this development an integrated part of the Springfield's downtown. On the casino side of Main Street, MGM has preserved the facades. This section of Main Street appears unchanged.MGM kept the signage low-key and in character. Its newly installed "Hotel" sign is a real gem that looks like a period piece from the 1930s-1950s, which was likely this street's heyday.This entire area is poised for a major redevelopment. In addition to 3 million square feet in MGM's project development area, many of the store fronts on Main and State streets are now vacant. There's little doubt that these adjoining storefronts will see restaurants and retail.On State Street, MGM has an entrance with the sign "South End Market." The orientation is to State Street. It was deliberate design decision inject some retail life -- independent of the casino -- on that street.The casino opens Aug. 24 but it will likely be several years before the full vision for this area takes shape. There are numerous older buildings that can be redeveloped into shops and housing.Springfield's train station is about a half mile walk from the complex, but the city plans to launch a free bus service, "The Loop" that will connect the various attractions in the downtown area, including the train station.Springfield and MGM's efforts may not only turn downtown Springfield into not only a genuine entertainment district, but may also spur a much broader revitalization of the city's downtown.