THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 22, 2019 Page 5 Cashing in on Encore Crabtree wants town to benefit from the Everett casino set to open in June By Mar E. Vogler T here is a positive side to the increased highway traffic that will be traveling through town on the way to and from the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett. “The Town seeks these funds not for mitigation but rather to capitalize on an economic development opportunity presented by the advent of this nearby tourist draw,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree wrote in a grant application he filed last month with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). Crabtree requested $50,000 in 2019 Non-Transportation Planning Project funds “to undertake some marketing and to spread awareness” about a video he said the town would make highlighting Saugus attractions and hospitality options. The town manager noted in his recent MGC application that the commission had authorized $28,256 from a 2015 community mitigation grant to produce two previous projects to market Saugus: • an open space and historic ASKS | from page 4 kid and his mother lives down the street [Donna Gould], and he’s an avid supporter of TCS. He’s even, up until recently, helped us get in touch with his friend, John Cariani, who wrote “Almost Maine,” which we performed last year this time. And Jay Gould got us in touch with him and he [Cariani] sent us a video and some scripts. John Cariani is a writer, and it was really nice that Jay was able to get us that personal connection with him. And Jay has offered his services as a coach for acting or to come back and do a class for us. I’ve heard stories of people from here going on to do bigger and better things, and Jay is one of those people [a screenwriter and director who works in New York City]. Q: So, what’s the legacy of the Theatre Company of Saugus? What do you hope the legacy would be? A: I hope that this is a place where people feel like home. I hope that this is a place that people can look back on and look forward to coming back and feel welcomed – like their time spent here was worthwhile and educational and, overall, a joyous time. Q: How many people have gone through here? A: I can’t even count how many people who have eiattractions brochure, and • the development of a wayfinding and branding scheme to further promote town attractions, open spaces and economic centers. The town selected the firm of omloop to undertake both projects. The town has received initial concept schemes from omloop for the brochure and the wayfinding sign prototype, according to Crabtree’s grant application. “Going forward, the Town hopes to build upon these efforts by seeking an MGC grant with which to create a tourism video promoting the Town’s attractions and hospitality offerings to Encore Casino patrons,” Crabtree wrote. “Taking the next step to expand the connections between the Encore Casino in nearby Everett and casino bound travelers passing through the town along Route 1, the Town will build on the visitors’ brochure and wayfinding signage already funded by MGC,” the town manager said. “The Town hopes to create a tourism video that highlights the Town’s historic points of interest, such as the 17th Century ther come here to perform here or come back to see the show, year after year. There’s a lot. There’s a lot of people who have been performing here since they were kids that are still here or still come back to see a show, or if you say TCS, and they’re, like, “I remember doing something with them years ago …” One of our board members currently used to perform with one of our members at a different theatre compaASKS | SEE PAGE 8 www.reverealuminumwindow.com Saugus Ironworks, and the recreational offerings along Rumney Marsh and the planned Saugus RiverWalk,” Crabtree said. The video and marketing material would be distributed to hospitality venues in town, business groups and state and regional tourism-focused organizations. “The proposed marketing/ promotional effort will certainly position the Town of Saugus to better take advantage of the presence of The Encore Casino, only 5 miles from the edge of Saugus,” Crabtree’s application notes. “Saugus needs to convince these casino visitors that a stop in our town is worthwhile. The new tourism video produced with MGC funding will serve to inform leisure travelers and Encore patrons of all that Saugus has to offer in terms of accommodations and a variety of dining choices, as well as both active and passive recreational facilities and places of historical interest and value.” The grant application singles out that the town is experiencing “a growth in hospitality along its retail/commercial spine Broadway, better known as Route 1.” “This resurgence is the result of intentional re-zoning intended to encourage more thoughtful and cohesive development,” Crabtree wrote. “Results have begun to accrue with two new hotels in operation and a third in development. The Town has also seen a burst of new and more unique restaurants along Route 1 and in other areas of Town.” SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 781-289-6466 * A Delta Dental Premier Provider Dr. Mario Abdennour, Dr. Bhavisha Patel, Dr. Priti Amlani, Dr. Bruce Goldman and team.
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