Las Vegas (AP) — Casino operator MGM Mirage took a step forward Tuesday on its proposed MGM Grand Atlantic City project by filing for a coastal area development permit.

MGM said in October that it would spend up to USD 5 billion on the 3,000-room Atlantic City, N.J., casino resort, targeted to open in 2012.

The casino operator filed an application with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s land-use regulation program for a Coastal Area Facility Review Act permit. The application process can take several months, MGM said.

The MGM Grand Atlantic City is planned for 72 acres next to MGM‘s joint venture with Boyd Gaming Corp., the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. Plans call for 5,000 slot machines, 200 table games and a poker room. The resort also would include a 1,500-seat theater, restaurants, nightclubs, a spa, 500,000 square feet of retail space and a convention center.

MGM said about 60 acres of the site will be used for the proposed resort, with 12 acres reserved for future development. The casino operator also owns a 14-acre site in Atlantic City’s marina district.