MGM unveils massive Toronto casino complex plan
MGM Resorts International has unveiled its plans for a massive casino complex in downtown Toronto, featuring a 1,200-room hotel and a shopping mall, at a cost of up to $4 billion.
The complex would be built on the grounds of Exhibition Place, and feature a permanent home for the Cirque du Soleil.
The proposal from MGM and developer Cadillac Fairview is one of several proposals for a downtown Toronto casino.
The developers say their plan will bring in 10,000 permanent full-time jobs, as well as 4,000 construction jobs.
"The jobs that can be created here, from our development alone, are 10,000 between the resort, integrated resort, and the retail space," said the Allan Feldman, the vice preisdent of MGM. "These are very good paying jobs, average salary of $60,000 a year."
Their plan also includes taking 3,500 existing parking spaces and pushing them underground, and adding 8,500 more, the CBC's Jamie Strashin reported.
Also, the CNE midway would be moved to the other side of Lake Shore Boulevard, and a series of bridges would be built, he added.
There would also be an enhancement to the existing Molson Amphitheatre that would create a Canadian Music Hall of Fame at Ontario Place.
The plan also includes an expanded transit network, with both GO and the TTC bringing in people in and out of Exhibition Place, said Strashin. However, those promises hinge on the co-operation of other municipal agencies, he added.
