Due to traffic concerns, Maura Healey, Attorney General of Massachusetts, wants a key permit denied to Wynn Resorts for its Everett waterfront $1.7 billion casino project.
Friday’s correspondence from Healey to the state’s environmental affairs secretary contends that traffic issues surrounding the notoriously congested area around Boston’s Sullivan Square need to be addressed by Wynn before the permit is issued. The attorney general wrote, “If you approve the Casino without a long-term traffic mitigation plan, we may never get one,” adding “This dangerous and congested set of roadways may be unfamiliar to many state residents, but it serves as a major regional transit hub and access point.”
Living across the Mystic River from the proposed casino site in the Boston neighborhood of Charleston, the anti-casino Democrat’s location will be one most affected by an increase in traffic to the resort. Healey said years of planning by community stakeholders and redevelopment plans by Boston for the area need to be considered.
The attorney general’s letter met the Friday submission deadline for comments regarding Wynn’s application, and follows a memo calling for Wynn’s traffic report to be independently reviewed, that Healey sent to transportation officials in July. A decision is expected to be issued by Matthew Beaton, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary, by Aug. 28.
The casino project, slated to be one of the largest private developments in the state’s history, would be located on approximately 30 acres of land previously used as an industrial area, and would include amenities such as a dining and entertainment complex. If given the green light, the Wynn development would be the largest casino project in Massachusetts, but in order for Wynn to break ground the state certificate is needed.
Massachusetts three licensed casino operators include the Wynn Everett, MGM Springfield, and the Plainridge Park Casino.