Expanded Boyd project approved

ATLANTIC CITY -- The Atlantic City Planning Board unanimously approved Boyd Gaming Corp.'s plan to expand the planned Borgata resort from 1,208 rooms to 2,008 rooms, the Star-Ledger newspaper in Newark reported.

Groundbreaking is set for Sept. 21 with the project opening in 2003, when the hotel's 40-story tower will soar 479 feet over the city's marina district.

Jack Plackter, attorney for Las Vegas-based Boyd, said the expansion reflects the enthusiasm for the project by Boyd's partner in the resort, MGM MIRAGE of Las Vegas.

"There was some concern that when MGM purchased Mirage Resorts (Boyd's original partner), it would slow things down, but that wasn't the case," he said, according to the Star-Ledger

In fact, as the cost grew from $750 million to $1.035 billion, MGM MIRAGE maintained its status as a 40 percent partner, said Robert Boughner, president of the Borgata.

"I think all the fundamentals of a successful project are here: a strong market that has shown consistent growth over a long time despite significant competition, easy access, visibility, convenient and abundant parking and terrific amenities," Boughner said, according to the newspaper.

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