The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s long-awaited First Light Resort & Casino project in Taunton, Massachusetts, is back on the table. After facing legal challenges and delays since its initial groundbreaking in 2016, the tribe is now ready to proceed with an interim economic development project that could pave the way for the realization of their ambitious casino plans.
Jim Erenzo, the chief financial officer of the Tribal Gaming Authority, referred to the Taunton casino project as the “Intergovernmental Agreement Project” (IGA project). In an August 4 letter to the Taunton City Council he said, “Despite a host of delays outside the control of the Gaming Authority, we are ready to proceed with developing new economic opportunities in the City that we believe will provide a financially solid pathway to the IGA project.”
The original vision for the First Light Resort & Casino was nothing short of grand. The plan encompassed 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, 40 poker tables, fine dining establishments, an international buffet, a 24-hour cafe, three 15-story luxury hotels, a lounge and performance stage, an indoor pool, retail stores, multi-purpose function rooms, meeting spaces, a spa and a water park.
However, legal hurdles began to plague the project. In 2015, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) decision to place vast tracts of land in Mashpee and Taunton into a protected trust for the casino set the stage for a protracted legal battle.
Opponents argued that this land trust designation violated the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. They secured a victory in U.S. District Court, leading to a suspension of casino construction, following 2016’s groundbreaking.
The legal saga continued with the DOI reversing its stance in 2018, claiming that the Mashpee Wampanoags did not meet the criteria for land-in-trust status. This decision, however, only led to more litigation.
In 2020, another twist unfolded when a U.S. District Court once again reversed the 2018 decision, sending the case back to the DOI. Early in 2021, under the new administration of President Joe Biden, the DOI withdrew its appeal against the Mashpee Wampanoags’ claim to land-in-trust.
Now, the tribe is focusing on an interim project that could serve as a stepping stone towards the realization of the First Light project. The specifics of this temporary project have not been disclosed, but it is expected to create hundreds of jobs and contribute to the local economy.
Discussions about the future of the casino project and Taunton’s intergovernmental agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe have been conducted behind closed doors during Taunton City Council meetings. Mayor Shaunna O’Connell’s office has refrained from disclosing specific details about the newly proposed development due to legal constraints and confidentiality surrounding executive sessions.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the tribe’s adherence to the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Agreement established in 2012. The agreement requires the tribe to make payments for services such as road maintenance and public works. Mayor O’Connell has emphasized the need for the tribe to honor their previous commitments in order to move forward with the project.
