New Hampshire: Conditional approval granted for Live! Casino to begin construction in Salem next year

Planning Board members on Wednesday conditionally approved a site plan to build a large-scale Live! Casino in Salem, New Hampshire. To be located at The Mall of Rockingham Park, the project will be located in the former Lord & Taylor department store on the southern side of the mall, which has been mostly vacant since 2020. 

Despite concerns raised by attorney Amy Manzelli, representing abutters Jamie and Chris Cummings, board members advised Manzelli to take up any legal action with the applicant, or the town, and surged ahead with a 5-2 vote in favor of the application after nearly three hours of discussion.

“This application is not approvable because it does not provide enough information about how it will impact the neighborhood around it,” Manzelli said. “It requires the consideration of public health and safety and the general welfare, comfort and convenience of the residents of the immediate neighborhood.”

According to CNHI News, on behalf of the Cummings, Manzelli said concerns include the taxpayers’ burden of increased public safety, traffic impacts on neighboring properties, how the project is going to affect pedestrians and bicyclists, and how lighting could impact abutters.

Additionally, Manzelli raised concerns about a former deed restriction that prohibits any gaming facility on the property which attorney John Sokul of Hinckley Allen, representing the applicant, said had expired and was no longer applicable to the land. 

“As far as adding any staff to alleviate any concerns, that cost would be entirely on the property managers and owners and would not have a tax impact nor would it impact the salaries or the need for additional staff,” said Police Chief Joel Dolan in response to her public safety concerns. “This is not anything we aren’t accustomed to or not prepared to respond to.”

Board members and Planning Director Jacob LaFontaine agreed they were satisfied with the traffic study and felt it addressed Manzelli’s concerns while Mark Gross of Tuscan Village said the lighting has never been an issue to abutters since the mall’s continued development began in 1991.

During public comment, several residents spoke in favor of the casino and the positive impact it will have on the town and surrounding communities while others commented on the trust they have in developers Sal Lupoli, of Lupoli Companies, and Joe Faro, of Tuscan Village.

“Ten years ago, the town voted in support to bring this type of facility to town,” said Town Council Chair Joe Sweeney during public comment. “This is an exciting time and something the town has wanted for a bit. This is a positive development I am supportive of.”

Though board members were satisfied with the overall site plan, a few were apprehensive to move forward with a vote without giving Manzelli and her team proper time to review the materials and provide analysis and feedback to the town. However, ultimately a motion was made and passed 5-2 in favor of the site plan.

The $160 million, three-story Live! Casino will feature over 900 historic racing machines; more than 40 gambling tables, including poker; a movie theater; event space; a sports lounge; golf simulators and retail shops strewn between two floors, while the third floor will be used for office space with an employee dining area and outdoor patio.

In phases beginning early next year, developers plan to demolish the interior of the building, which has been vacant since 2020, and remodel it to accommodate the casino and entertainment venue. If the venue is successful, developers said there could be plans for future expansion that would include a hotel, if the town and owner of the mall agree.