BOSTON (AP) — Wynn Resorts has fended off a challenge to a key environmental permit as it looks to start construction on a nearly $2 billion Boston-area casino.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg issued a decision Friday upholding the company’s January award of a public waterways license.
Wynn already has a state gambling license and local building permits for its planned casino complex along the Mystic River in Everett.
Neighboring Somerville appealed the waterways decision, arguing the state hadn’t properly considered all air pollution and traffic impacts.
Somerville has until Aug. 2 to further appeal the state decision. It can also appeal in court and has four other legal challenges pending.
Wynn says it will start construction once the environmental license is in hand. It’s aiming for a 2019 opening.
Robert DeSalvio, president of Wynn Boston Harbor, released a statement after the decision:
This hopefully concludes one of the longest and most publicly scrutinized environmental licensing award in the history of the Commonwealth. Crews and resources are being readied and mobilized. Once we have the license in hand, construction of Wynn Boston Harbor and the eventual hiring of 4,000 union workers will commence immediately.
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone released a statement Friday:
This particular appeal was never about stopping the casino but rather about exercising the city’s statutory rights of appeal to ensure our environmental, health and waterways concerns were addressed as they should be under the Ch. 91 license, and this ruling is a success for us in several ways. It is of great significance to our community that the commissioner approved the requirement of a ferry for the full 50-year term of the license as we argued. This is imperative to help reduce road traffic and resulting particulate pollution in our neighborhoods. The ferry was not previously a condition of the license as it should have been. We are also pleased that the Commissioner approved an increase in the amount of open space and a decrease in the unusually long term of the license from 85 to 50 years, meaning current residents will have greater community benefits now and the next generation will have an opportunity to reassess those benefits again within a more reasonable time period. As for next steps, we have four other legal actions still pending on other matters regarding the casino, we will continue to review our other legal options, and we also look forward to continuing to be part of the regional working group to address traffic issues in and around Sullivan Square and affected Somerville roadways.
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria also released a statement:
Today marks a significant step in the journey to build a multimillion-dollar casino resort in the beautiful city of Everett. I could not be more thrilled about today’s news from Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin Suuberg. As a result of his fair and thoughtful decision to allow the Chapter 91 waterway permit, we can now go full steam ahead with the Wynn casino project. This change will hugely add to the quality of life for our residents, our neighbors, and the tourists that will soon be visiting our city.
It has been a journey to get to this point. From a rigorous ballot question campaign – that was met with rousing support from the residents of Everett – to years of negotiations with surrounding cities, we have fought to bring this asset to the city. I am grateful to all the dedicated individuals who have committed themselves to this casino project and, as always, to the residents of Everett for wholeheartedly welcoming this project. Without their tireless efforts, this vision could have not become a reality.
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