Wynn Resorts clears hurdle for Boston project

Resorts has received a boost to its Wynn Everett casino resort project plans in Boston, as a hearing officer for the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ruled in its favour in a dispute with the City of Somerville.

Somerville contested the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) decision to grant Wynn Resorts a waterfront development permit, as the resort is set to be built on the front of the Mystic River in Eastern Massachusetts.

This led to Wynn Resorts postponing the construction of the resort, and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone appealed on the grounds that the resort would have negative environmental impacts.

Jane Rothchild said in her ruling: “One does not need to be a casino enthusiast to recognise and acknowledge the benefit that accrues to a city when a long-dormant contaminated waste site is cleaned up and brought back to useful life.”

DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg will make the final decision on whether Wynn Resorts can progress with its plans.

Wynn Resorts was granted a licence for Wynn Everett in 2014 after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted 3-1 in favour of the operator ahead of Mohegan Sun, with Wynn Resorts agreeing to $76m in payments.

Wynn Resorts previously faced opposition from the City of Boston, which alleged that state police gave private detectives acting for Wynn Resorts access to information regarding an ongoing criminal investigation and asked a judge to revoke the licence.

A Surrounding Community Agreement was signed between the City of Boston and Wynn Resorts in January however, including $68m being paid in mitigation funds and $20m being paid annually for local businesses over 15 years.

Mohegan Sun has also appealed against the granting of the licence.