Three years after residents in the Boston suburb of Everett overwhelmingly backed a plan to construct the Wynn Boston Harbor Resort,?city officials have now issued the $2 billion project a building permit.
Crews were forced to stop removing contaminants?from the 33-acre site, which was formerly the home of an industrial chemical plant, earlier this year after the neighboring city of Somerville appealed the state’s approval of an environmental permit. Pending the successful settlement of this case, Wynn Resorts stated that it now expects to break ground on the 629-room hotel and casino complex in July with full operations anticipated sometime in late-2019.
The issuance of the permit has seen Wynn Resorts make a first payment of $5 million to Everett with the city of 41,668 people due to receive $30 million before operations begin. Over the course of its 15-year license, the Las Vegas-based operator stated that the city is set to net over $480 million from the five-star Wynn Boston Harbor Resort.
“It gives me enormous pleasure knowing the positive impact this $5 million and future payments will have on the city of Everett and its residents,” said Robert DeSalvio from Wynn Resorts. “This is just the beginning of an economic rocket that will yield benefits to the city and the region for generations to come.”
The final hurdle before construction can begin could now come as soon as June 2 following a hearing on the February appeal lodged by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone. The official stated in his petition that Wynn Resorts was not doing enough to offset the development’s environmental impact, particularly in the areas of traffic.
“The people of Everett have eagerly awaited this day for years,” said Carlo DeMaria, mayor for Everett. “This is a major milestone for Wynn and another positive step forward for Everett and beyond. As the largest economic development project in the northeast, Wynn Boston Harbor Resort holds unmatched potential for our city, the region and the entire Commonwealth Of Massachusetts.”