State Denies Somerville’s Appeal to Block Everett Casino

– Allison Goldsberry

On Friday, Wynn Resorts’ plan to build a casino in Everett moved forward after the project received a waterfront permit from a state environmental official, according to The Boston Globe.

The project has been delayed since February due to an appeal of an environmental permit filed by Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone. Somerville’s appeal has been denied although Curtatone told The Globe earlier this week that he might file another appeal in the state’s Superior Court. Casino officials have said another appeal won’t stop them from moving forward with full-scale construction.

“One does not need to be a casino enthusiast to recognize and acknowledge the benefit that accrues to a city when a long-dormant contaminated waste site is cleaned up and brought back to useful life,” Jane Rothchild, a hearing officer for the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, told The Globe.

The $2 billion development will occupy thirty-three acres along the Mystic River. The company says 4,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs will be created. Casino developer Steve Wynn said the resort-style casino will be called “Wynn Boston Harbor” and that the company has already spent $300 million on the project.

Wynn had hoped to begin construction this month, which would have pushed the projected opening to late 2018. It’s unclear now when the casino will open but the granting of the key environmental permit will allow construction to begin.