Wynn Resorts Unable to Obtain Necessary Permit for Everett Casino
Wynn Everett encounters another obstacle as they are refused a crucial permit to advance with the construction of the $1.7 billion casino along the Mystic River.
On Friday, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton disclosed that a previous sale of land to Wynn Resorts breached state law. Furthermore, Beaton mentioned that his ruling shouldn't prevent the casino from being built.
According to Beaton, the 1.75-acre transfer from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to Wynn Resorts, which took place earlier this year, was ahead of schedule, as it occurred before his department examined the casino project, contradicting the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act.
Wynn Required to Deal with Land Purchase, Environmental Concerns
Consequently, Wynn will need to address the property acquisition, probably by either dismantling the transaction or keeping the land in trust. Whichever option they select, Beaton insists the casino should relinquish ownership of the land until after the state government completes their evaluation. This implies that constructing the casino might be postponed, though there's no indication that it would be called off.
"It is a shame that this transfer took place without the necessary public process or any inclusion of provisions to ensure congruity with the MEPA regulations’ prerequisites," Beaton wrote.
Additionally, Beaton indicated that the Wynn must revise their strategy for mitigating the casino's environmental impact, including methods to minimize traffic and noise.
Since the inception of the Massachusetts casino licensing process, and specifically the bid for the Greater Boston casino, the scenario has been turbulent.
In view of the numerous stakeholders who have previously expressed their opinions about the Wynn Everett, it's unsurprising that a few people seized the opportunity to weigh in on this new development in the ongoing story.
Rizzo Praise Decision, Contests Process
For instance, Revere Mayor Daniel Rizzo lauded the decision. He had been asking for the state's attorney general to investigate the land sale.
Rizzo was a passionate supporter of the unsuccessful attempt to win a license for a casino at the previous Suffolk Downs racecourse, which was positioned across the Revere/East Boston border.
Although Revere subsequently settled on a project on their side of the complex (after East Bostoners rejected a comparable concept on their side), the state authorities awarded the casino license to the Wynn Everett instead.
"I, along with others, have been inquiring about the illegal land transfer since last year," Rizzo said in a statement, in which he viewed the whole casino process as an "assault" on Revere, Boston, and Somerville.
"With respect to [Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack], who inherited this debacle, it's not credible that this was an administrative or purely procedural error. It's just part of a brazen pattern of behavior that has characterized Wynn's project from the outset."
Wynn Unhappy with Delays
Naturally, Wynn Resorts had a different perspective.
"We are disheartened that the brand-new jobs and fresh tax proceeds that would have aided numerous individuals in the Commonwealth will be delayed," Robert DeSalvio, president of Wynn Everett, stated in a declaration.
However, DeSalvio observed that overall, Secretary Beaton's evaluation of Wynn's environmental reports was favorable.
"We're delighted that after thousands of pages of analysis and years of review, the Secretary has predominantly endorsed all of our mitigation measures," Desalvio said.
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