The project that the Bay State’s largest city wasn’t able to delay, may come to a crashing halt due to the efforts of a much smaller city, Somerville.
Wynn Resorts conceded last week that as much as a year could be added to the start of the $1.7 billion Wynn Everett due to the most recent efforts by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, which is an administrative appeal of the state’s decision to grant the project a key Department of Environmental Protection permit that is required for all waterfront developments.
Because the city previously filed written objections to the permit, it preserved its right to appeal the decision, making it the only governmental entity that could file an appeal.
Before that happened Wynn had planned for an April groundbreaking and a 2018 opening. Now, as a result Wynn has cancelled job fairs and imposed a hiring freeze. Robert DeSalvio, the Wynn official in charge of the project declared last week, “Unfortunately, the appeal by Somerville’s mayor leaves us no choice but to shut down our permanent building construction down. We can’t put a shovel in the ground to build until a final conclusion is reached.” He added, “Wynn has never been more resolved or motivated to build our resort in Everett.”
Mayor Curtatone fired back that Wynn needs to address his city’s concerns that the project will impact both Somerville’s traffic but also its environment. “As soon as Wynn is ready to step up and develop a responsible traffic plan, then the project has the possibility of moving forward,” he told WHDH-TV.
The mayor further tweaked the casino giant by suggesting that the developer didn’t include the possibility of appeals to approval processes in its planning. His city, he says, seeks for Wynn to address, “real and serious health and quality of life issues.”
Wynn claims that Somerville did not oppose three redevelopment projects near the casino project that would have generated over 85,000 new vehicle trips per day. The company claims that the appeal will cost the state $55 million every month.
A few weeks ago Steve Tocco, a political consultant hired by Wynn, held a lunch meeting with Curtatone and asked what it would take for the city to compromise. The mayor responded that he needed to file the appeal to maintain his leverage over Wynn.
Tocco responded, “You lose all of your leverage if you do file,” he replied. “The window is now.” He added, “We’re building, Joe. There’s a casino that’s going to go up, with or without your support.”
Now that the appeal has been filed, Wynn has orchestrated a fierce and sometimes personal public attack on Curtatone, calling him a “selfish politician” and claiming that he was trying to profit politically from the fight.
Somerville’s appeal had been flying largely under the radar until the much larger city of Boston settled its own differences with Wynn in January.
Somerville previously demanded $1.5 million a year for 15 years from Wynn, but that amount was rejected during a forced arbitration with Wynn. Somerville rejected Wynn’s offer of $650,000 a year.
According to Tocco, quoted by the Boston Globe, Curtatone referred to the arbitration decision and hinted that if the city were to get its original demands that it might drop the appeal. He also asked for Wynn’s help in bringing a hotel to the city.
Curtatone admitted to the general details of the conversation and told the Globe “I’m not saying money is not involved. It will cost money to address the impacts on health and environment.” He added, “I’m trying to protect the health of the people of my city. It’s not about gambling. That’s over. That’s moot. And I came out of the losing side. This is about the environment and health.”
The Wynn Everett’s plans include a casino, hotel, including signature Wynn tower, and an entertainment complex on 33 acres overlooking the Mystic River and Boston.
MGM Springfield
The Springfield city council last week approved of the changes to the $950 million MGM Springfield casino, including its design and replacement of a 24-story hotel tower with a smaller hotel.
The council vote in favor of the changes was 12-1, with council President Michael Fenton casting the single opposition vote.
Mike Mathis, MGM Springfield president reacted enthusiastically, “We’re very excited about the approval,” adding, “I think the City Council worked very hard on what really is a complex project. We’re going to get to work tomorrow.”
Councilor Timothy J. Rooke had been one of the council’s strongest advocates for MGM and its changes. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.
The approval also allows MGM to move about 50 market rate apartments from the casino footprint to a site about half a mile from the casino.
MGM plans to open the casino resort by September 2018.
Demolition work has already begun on some buildings within the footprint.
