Suffolk deal not seen as threat to Lynn Auditorium

Lynn officials don?t believe a partnership involving Suffolk Downs/Caesars Entertainment, which would cross-promote acts at Boston theaters and a proposed resort casino, would hamper the Lynn arts scene or Lynn Auditorium bookings.The partnership, announced in a statement last week from Suffolk and the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston?s Theater District, “calls for Citi Center staff ? to work with Suffolk Downs and Caesars in cross promotion, operations, cooperative booking of acts and shows to help both organizations grow, provide broader entertainment choices, and expand arts education and community programs for local youth and families.”Suffolk Downs/Caesars earlier this year applied to the state Gaming Commission for one of three Massachusetts resort casino licenses – and the sole license for the Greater Boston region – to build its proposed $1 billion development on the grounds of the Suffolk Downs thoroughbred race track in Revere and East Boston.Lynn Community Development Director James Marsh, who led the revival of Lynn Auditorium over the last six years and landed such acts as Peter Frampton, Ian Anderson, Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, Kansas and many others, does not consider the Suffolk Downs alliance with the Citi Center a threat to Lynn Auditorium.?We have already received calls from both Suffolk and Caesars officials about the possibilities of working together if and when a casino comes to Suffolk Downs,” Marsh said Thursday.?In fact the new gaming law requires that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission identify and designate live entertainment venues in Massachusetts that would be impacted by the operation of a casino. The casinos then must work with designated venues, such as the Lynn Auditorium, to negotiate agreements and mitigate any impact.”Elaine Driscoll, director of communications for the state Gaming Commission, said Thursday that the commission next month “will release a memo that more clearly defines surrounding communities” of resort casinos eligible for mitigation. She said the commission is also in the process of writing regulations specific to entertainment venues in surrounding communities affected by resort casinos.?The commission has had dialogue with and is inviting representatives of community theaters and auditoriums into our commission meetings,” Driscoll said. “There will be public hearings for individuals, residents and government officials to weigh in.”Driscoll said communities are permitted to negotiate agreements with developers on their own, but the commission “has the requirement and authority” to step in to arbitrate if disagreements arise.Driscoll said the commission “is looking at an outside date of February 2014″ to award the three regional casino licenses, and will likely award a single license for a slot parlor next year.Late this fall, a competitor for the Boston-area license emerged in Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn, with a proposal to build a riverfront resort casino in Everett; that after a plan Wynn eyed in Foxboro with Patriots owner Robert Kraft fell through in the face of residents? opposition.Although Wynn has expressed intent to purchase the Everett property for a resort casino proposal, he has yet to submit a formal plan and license application to the Gaming Commission.The more advanced Suffolk Downs proposal has received considerable regional support, including that of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, but any proposal must win voter support in host communities.In the Dec. 18 joint statement, Suffolk Downs chief operating officer Chip Tuttle touted the new alliance between Suffolk Downs/Caesars and the Citi Performing Arts Center – which includes the Wang, Shubert and Emerson Colonial theaters – as one that would be a major boost to the performing arts in Boston.?As a proud local business for over 77 years, our goal is to collaborate wherever possible to extend the economic benefits of our proposed development to others in our community,” Tuttle said. “Our specifi