Thousands of people turned out for a special preview party at MGM Springfield on Thursday ahead of the resort and casino officially opening at 11 this morning.
Exit 6 on both sides of 91 are closed and will be for the next several hours. In addition, Main Street from Count Square to Union Street is closed. State Street is also closed from MGM Way to Dwight Street.
Springfield Mayor Dom Sarno says that the city is truly rising from the ashes that was the tornado of seven years ago.
The Mayor says that the next step is to follow up on the initial MGM investment by luring more expansions into the city.
One business is already expanding on the footprint of the casino.
Actor Mark Wahlberg announced that his family will be opening a new Wahlburgers restaurant at the casino next year.
The family chain is in 18 states.