RESIDENTS OF EAST BOSTON and Revere say they are hearing a sale of Suffolk Downs is imminent, but officials at the track say they have nothing to report.
“We’ve fielded a lot of interest in the property and if and when we have news we’ll be sure to tell people,” said Chip Tuttle, the chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs.
Ever since Suffolk Downs lost out on a casino bidding war with Wynn Resorts in 2014, the owners of the track have been trying to decide what to do with the 161-acre property, which is three-fourths in East Boston and one-fourth in Revere.
No real estate broker has been hired and no formal sales process has been launched, but buyers have nevertheless been stepping forward in growing numbers, sources say. Those interested in purchasing Suffolk Downs have recently been seen looking around the facility, prompting speculation about an imminent sale.
Rep. Adrian Madaro of East Boston said he has heard a deal for the property is in the works but nothing beyond that. “I hope whoever the buyer is doesn’t come in with any preconceived plans about what is going to happen on that property,” he said. “This is a property that is important to and has a lot of history for the area. The residents deserve and should have input into whatever gets developed there.”
Suffolk Downs, which ended full-time racing in 2014, is currently committed to hosting six racing days this year. When he won approval for those dates in November, Tuttle told the commission he was fielding inquiries from potential buyers of the property.
Officials at the Boston Planning & Development Agency said they were unaware of anything happening with the site.
