The dispute between Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and casino mogul Steve Wynn over the construction of a $1.7-billion hotel and casino resort in Everett continues with another exchange of words.
Earlier this week, the Wynn Resorts Chairman said that he had had enough of the Boston Mayor and he cannot negotiate with him. Mr. Wynn also called the official irresponsible.
Mayor Walsh and the Wynn executive have been bickering since 2014 when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awarded the gambling operator with the Boston area casino license. Later on, the Boston Mayor filed a lawsuit against the gambling regulator in an attempt to prevent the Everett casino from being built.
Mayor Walsh also called for a Charlestown vote to be held and residents of the neighborhood to cast their vote on the Wynn casino. In addition, he argued that Charlestown needs to receive mitigation funds as the traffic is expected to increase once the property is completed and operational. Mayor Walsh also claimed that similarly to Everett, Boston, too, should be considered a host community due to the near proximity to the future gambling property.
The official admitted that there have been certain negotiations with the gambling operator. Commenting on Mr. Wynn’s words that he had had enough of him, the Boston Mayor said that he interprets this as executive “has had enough of the people of Boston”, because he represents the residents of the city and their interests.
Mayor Walsh also noted that when asked about the potential Charlestown vote, Mr. Wynn had said that such vote would be held only over his dead body. According to the Boston official, the Everett casino will have quite a negative effect on Charlestown and its residents as some serious traffic issues are expected to arise. Mayor Walsh explained that people will have to cut through the neighborhood in order to avoid congestions at Sullivan Square.
According to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and Wynn Resorts, Boston is considered a surrounding community to the Everett casino. Michael Weaver, Senior Vice President of Marketing at the gambling operator, told local media that contracts with surrounding communities were negotiated in 2014. Back then, Boston refused to take part in the process.
Mr. Weaver also reminded that Wynn Resorts had been required to pay the amount of $35.9 million for improvements of Sullivan Square and additional $25 million for other mitigation costs. However, he pointed out that the operator cannot re-negotiate certain terms “outside the process” as all other surrounding communities had shown “good faith in their negotiations” and had followed the rules.
