Wynn Resorts Suspends Groundbreaking on Everett Casino

Governor Charlie Baker told WBZ-AM radio Wednesday night he intends to get officials from Wynn Resorts and the city of Somerville to meet and come to an agreement, according to the blog NewBostonPost.

This after Wynn announced Wednesday it is suspending the groundbreaking of its $1.7 billion Everett casino indefinitely.

Wynn said in a press release an appeal filed by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone citing environmental concerns over the construction of the casino forced the cancellation of the April event.

In addition to dropping the ceremony Wynn also scrapped seven job fairs in the surrounding towns and froze the hiring of 4,000 workers, the release said.

Wynn Everett President Robert DeSalvio also appeared at a press conference today at the planned groundbreaking site, flanked by labor representatives and proponents of the casino.

Last week, Wynn claimed Curtatone’s move would cost the state $660 billion. Wynn and the city of Somerville have frequently traded barbs over the proposed complex.

“Wynn has never been more resolved or motivated to build our resort in Everett,” DeSalvio said in the release. “Unfortunately, the appeal by Somerville’s mayor leaves us no choice but to shut our permanent building construction down. We can’t put a shovel in the ground to build until a final conclusion is reached.”

The group says it will still fight to keep the project alive.

Curtatone addressed some of the health issues raised by the casino in a press conference today. He alleged the casino’s popularity would bring 18,000 cars daily to the area’s roads, worsening traffic and causing more pollution to the town, and called on Wynn to form a more comprehensive plan.

“The city of Somerville wants to see good jobs come to the area as much as anyone else,” Curtatone said. “But what’s holding up the project isn’t Joe Curtatone from the city of Somerville. It is the Wynn team.”

Photo Credit: Wynn Everett