Casino operator Wynn Resorts cleared on Friday what seemed to be the last bigger hurdle that prevented it from beginning construction work on Wynn Boston Harbor, a $2.1-billion integrated casino resort to be gracing the Everett waterfront.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg eventually granted a highly anticipated 50-year environmental permit. The official explained that his decision was mainly based on the fact that the venue would provide “greater benefit than detriment.”
An environmental permit was originally awarded earlier this year but the move was appealed by the neighboring city of Somerville on the grounds that Wynn Boston Harbor would impact people’s quality of life in quite a negative manner. As a result, Wynn Resorts postponed the ground breaking ceremony scheduled for February, saying that no shovel would be put into the ground before the matter was solved.
Now as the long-awaited permit was granted, officials for the gambling operator said that construction would begin immediately and more than 4,000 union members would be hired temporarily while the multi-million-dollar resort is being built. Once completed and operational, the venue would employ 4,000 people permanently.
Last week, DEP hearing official Jane Rothchild recommended that the controversial permit be granted. Ms. Rothchild also pointed to several conditions under which that should happen in her 50-page decision. According to her, Wynn Resorts had to ensure that there would be more open space around its resort and that the planned harbor to be constructed as part of the Wynn Boston Harbor property should be put into good use with the addition of a ferry service to and fro the complex, a fishing pier, and a canoe and kayak launch.
In yesterday’s ruling, Commissioner Suuberg repeated Ms. Rothchild’s points, excluding the canoe and kayak launch proposal. As mentioned above, the permit would be valid through 50 years instead of the originally proposed 85 years.
Following the decision, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone said that the city is considering the possibility to appeal it to Superior Court. The official also commented that their previous appeal was not aimed at freezing the project completely but at ensuring that the negative effects on residents’ quality of life would be reduced to a minimum.
Wynn Resorts and its Everett project have faced numerous legal challenges since licensed by state gambling regulators. Multiple complaints emerged from officials for Boston, Somerville, and surrounding cities about traffic and environmental issues that could arise from the resort’s construction.
Commenting on Friday’s decision, Wynn Boston Harbor President Robert DeSalvio said that crews and resources would be readied and mobilized so that construction starts immediately and the resort is completed on schedule. Wynn Boston Harbor is planned to open doors in 2019.
