The Mohegan Sun has begun a million expansion project of the Exposition and Convention Center that aims to make it one of the largest convention centers in New England.
The plans are to add 240,000 square feet to the center which includes the casino, hotel, entertainment, arena and conference complex. Most of the work will happen near the Winter Entrance and Winter Parking garage and the resort’s Earth Tower hotel.
The architect firm KPF (Kohn Pedersen Fox) and A/Z Corp construction firm are aiming at an opening date of summer 2018.
In a statement Mohegan Tribal Chairman Kevin Brown said, “This new conference center will help solidify Mohegan Sun as not just the premier conventions destination, but the premier resort in the Northeast region. It will enable us to host some of the largest trade shows in the nation and take back some of the lost conventions that seek bigger venues in Boston and New York.”
Some of the most important features include: A 21,412-square-foot ballroom, 131,000 SF Exposition Center, 18 meeting rooms, a 1,264 SF board room, 3,600 SF outdoor space, mobile box office, and a 5,361 SF kitchen.
The expanded facility will allow the tribe to expand shows the Expo already hosts, such as the Terrificon comic convention.
Part of the tribe’s diversification plans include reaching an agreement with the town of Preston across the Thames River, to redevelop the former Norwich Hospital into a $200-$600 million development that would include an indoor water park, senior living center sports complex, shops, restaurants, marina and RV park on 388 acres.
Preston is planning a referendum on the proposal. City officials last week held an informational meeting with residents to go over the draft development agreement between the town and tribe.
The 300-page document is called a Property Disposition and Development Agreement, or PDDA. It has been endorsed by the Preston Redevelopment Agency, but according to its Chairman Sean Nugent, “The PDDA is only effective when the town and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority approve it. We can’t go forward without town approval.”
The Board of Selectmen has set a town meeting on the PDDA for April 6, with a referendum on April 18.
