As Suffolk Downs prepares to compete for a license to bring a casino to its racetrack in Revere and East Boston, the plan is so far drawing a mixed response from some of the area’s top municipal leaders.
In an informal survey, three current or incoming mayors voiced support or a preference for licensing a casino at the Revere-East Boston track, a proposal that already enjoys the enthusiastic backing of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
But 13 other area leaders took no firm position on whether Suffolk Downs should be chosen as the site of the license that is being set aside for the Greater Boston and Worcester area under the newly adopted expanded gambling law.
Attracting the backing of area communities could be important to Suffolk Downs in the expected fierce competition for the license. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and casino mogul Steve Wynn recently announced their plan for a casino resort near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, which is in the same designated region as Suffolk Downs.
“We are looking at ways we can build as much regional support as possible,’’ said Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs. As part of that effort, Tuttle recently addressed the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development, in Beverly. He has also met with the North Shore Chamber of Commerce and this past Tuesday with the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tuttle said the casino plan that Suffolk Downs is developing in partnership with Caesars Entertainment is being designed with the region in mind.
“We think this development can be a gateway to enhanced tourism for the entire North Shore and we have to be proactive about this,’’ he said.
“We have to be good neighbors. So it’s very important for us that the development not only works for the cities of Boston and Revere but that the economic benefits can be maximized to the cities and towns that are our northern neighbors as well.’’
The law provides for three resort casino licenses and a license for a slot machine parlor. Applicants must reach agreements with the host and surrounding communities to mitigate any adverse impacts of the development and win passage of ballot questions in the host communities. A new gaming commission will award the licenses.
Tuttle said that the law does not specify the communities with which Suffolk Downs would need mitigation agreements. But he said that based on proximity, Suffolk Downs has always anticipated negotiating agreements with Chelsea and Winthrop, in addition to Revere and Boston.
“Beyond that, we have good dialogue with our neighbors in Saugus and Lynn and we anticipate that will continue,’’ he said.
Revere’s mayor-elect, Daniel Rizzo, strongly backs a casino at Suffolk Downs.
“I’m excited as the new mayor of Revere, not just for the jobs for our local economy this would bring but for the collateral development I think is going to be a spur off of it,’’ he said, citing also the new revenue the project would bring to the city. The bill entitles host communities to a share of revenues.
Rizzo said Suffolk Downs is “logically the best place’’ for a casino in this part of the state.
“Boston is already a travel and tourist type destination. This just adds to that travel experience,’’ he said.
Peabody’s mayor-elect, Ted Bettencourt, said he supports Suffolk Downs as the casino location because “having those types of jobs available in this area would certainly be helpful.’’
Woburn Mayor Scott D. Galvin of Woburn said he could support either of the two sites, but prefers Suffolk Downs.
“Boston is kind of the mecca of Massachusetts, and Suffolk Downs is definitely something that could use a revival. I think a casino would be great there,’’ he said.
But Chelsea’s city manager, Jay Ash, who was an outspoken supporter of the casino bill, is reserving judgment on whether to support Suffolk Downs’s bid.
“Before I endorse the proposal I want to review what that proposal is,’’ he said.
Winthrop’s Town Council president-elect, Peter T. Gill, is also waiting to hear more about the Suffolk Downs plan before taking a position. “I really don’t know much about it at this point,’’ he said.
Mayor Michael J. McGlynn of Medford said he would go along with Suffolk Downs as a location, but only if mitigation was provided to his city, particularly in dealing with the increase in local traffic he believes a casino would bring.
“My bottom line is that Medford has to be protected with resources to make sure there are no negative impacts,’’ he said.
Melrose’s mayor, Robert J. Dolan, said he is not opposed to Suffolk Downs as a location, But he, too, is concerned about the impact on local traffic and wants to see how it is addressed.
“We want any site to be successful. But we don’t want five pounds of sugar in a three-pound bag,’’ he said. “You don’t want to build something that is three times the size of the infrastructure to support it.’’
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone of Somerville said that “in general, I’m against casinos. Casinos don’t build communities.’’
Although not taking a position on where to locate the casino in the region, Curtatone said he believes, based on what he has heard from pro-casino experts, a casino should not be built in an area that has an existing strong economic foundation.
Mayor Kimberley L. Driscoll of Salem was a strong advocate for the expanded gambling bill, but believes it should be up to the host communities to determine if Suffolk Downs is the best site.
“They really have to make that call,’’ she said.
Malden’s mayor-elect, Gary Christensen, said he has no position, but his “initial inclination’’ is that Suffolk Downs makes the most sense for a casino site, given its proximity to downtown Boston and Logan Airport.
Others not taking a firm position on Suffolk Downs’ license bid included mayors Carolyn Kirk of Gloucester, James J. Fiorentini of Haverhill, Donna D. Holaday, of Newburyport, Thatcher W. Kezer III of Amesbury, and William F. Scanlon Jr., of Beverly, and Methuen’s mayor-elect, Stephen Zanni.