Wynn Resorts has just completed a deal with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for the acquisition of land, which the Las Vegas-based gambling operator has been eyeing for quite some time.
The purchase will make it possible for Wynn to build its $1.6-billion casino resort Everett and its entrance, in particular, the way it was initially planned.
The deal between the casino developer and the MBTA includes three parcels, located near the Everett site on Broadway and Horizon Way. Wynn is to pay the amount of $6 million for its new acquisition.
Robert DeSalvio, Wynn Everett’s president, said in a special statement from yesterday that the construction of the property is currently on schedule. He also pointed out that the completion of the above-mentioned deal is an important stage in the development of the project, as it will allow the company to solve traffic issues that might have arisen, provided that the land was not purchased.
Back in September 2014, Wynn’s Everett was chosen over a project proposed by Mohegan Sun, which was to be located in the city of Revere.
Dan Rizzo, Mayor of Revere, was among the biggest opponents of Wynn’s property. He was actively trying to prevent the MBTA from selling the land. About a month ago, Mr. Rizzo even turned to Gov. Charlie Barker to convince the state Department of Transportation to terminate the sale. The Mayor of Revere called the deal “fundamentally flawed”.
Yesterday, Mr. Rizzo issued a statement, in which he expressed his disappointment with this turn of events. He shared that Wynn’s acquisition of the land was yet another decision that was made without residents being asked about their opinion.
Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the MBTA, emphasized that the deal was “transparent and completely fair”. He also explained that Wynn’s bid for the land was posted last year and other bidders were also invited to submit their own offers.
And since no other interested parties appeared, Wynn became the logical owner of the land.
In January, Martin Walsh, who took the position of Mayor of Boston last year, filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. He asked the Suffolk Superior Court to declare the commission’s choice of Everett as the winner of a license for a casino in the Greater Boston area void.
Mr. Walsh pointed out that if Wynn did not purchase the MBTA land, its visitors would have to take Horizon Way so as to arrive at the casino. Horizon Way is partly situated in Boston. If visitors passed Boston in order to reach Everett, that would mean the city and its residents should be given the right to decide as to whether the project should be completed or not.
Wynn’s hotel and casino resort is to be completed and to open doors towards the end of 2017 or the first months of 2018.
