The Massachusetts Gaming Commission last week gave the final approval that was needed for the .1 billion Wynn Boston Harbor to begin building in Everett. The panel unanimously gave the nod to the final design
“Congratulations. It’s very exciting,” Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said following the vote.
The casino is expected to generate 4,000 temporary jobs during construction and 4,000 jobs once the casino and hotel are built. Suffolk Construction is in charge of the project. Wynn brags that it will be the largest private development in the state’s history, and the third largest in the history of the U.S. The construction was delayed about a year by lawsuits from the cities of Boston and Somerville. Both lawsuits were eventually resolved.
Now the casino’s opening has been set for June 3, 2019.
Somerville’s lawsuit, the last to be settled, based its grievances on alleged traffic and air quality issues and challenge the issuance of an environmental permit.
The Wynn Boston Harbor will actually be located on the banks of the Mystic River, although within sight of the Boston skyline. It is being built on land that was formerly occupied by a Monsanto chemical plant. A 29-story tower will rise out of that land, with 671 hotel rooms, in excess of 200,000 square feet of retail, dining, a spa, night club and convention space. The gaming floor will have 4,250 gaming positions, which is actually about 330 fewer than originally planned. Also gone from the final plans is an indoor pool. Instead, visitors will be encouraged to visit local beaches.
One feature that will greet visitors in the main lobby by the main entrance will be the Jeff Koons sculpture of Popeye that Wynn bought two years ago for a reported $28 million.
