Wynn Resorts rethink development plans near Encore casino

The company will reevaluate the development for its Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett and come forth with a better plan.

US.- An official of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGA) explained in a statement that Wynn Resorts has decided to pause its development plans for Encore Boston Harbor, located in Everett.

The company will reevaluate whether the development as proposed is the best use for the site.

Joe Delaney, the Gaming Commission’s chief of community affairs, said the initial plan was set to include a 1,800-seat entertainment venue, 20,000 square feet of restaurant space and a garage with 2,200 spaces.

But he said he heard from casino officials in the last week that they have “decided to pause the permitting process for this development”.

The Commission was prepared to brief about the Wynn Resorts plans earlier this week. The main question for the Gaming Commission was going to be whether the development across the road from the casino would be considered as part of Encore’s technical “gaming establishment” and therefore subject to regulatory oversight as well as provisions relating to the state’s expanding gaming laws.

“Some issues came up with respect to whether it’s part of the gaming establishment or not — that has certain impacts on their development — as well as COVID and other things that they’re considering at this point in time,” Delaney said.

“So Encore has indicated to us that they will come back to us once this evaluation is complete and they have essentially a final proposal to move ahead with, whether it’s this one or with some minor or some major changes.”

According to the Boston Globe, the proposed development would be the first phase in Wynn Resorts’ effort to transform the area along Broadway in Everett outside its $2.6bn resort casino.

The Globe said the casino company wanted to start construction this year and finish it in 2024.

Delaney said that the plans are not being withdrawn with the Everett Planning Department, but that the local public hearing process will essentially be put on hold until a more concrete plan is ready to be presented.

He said the plan would first come before the Gaming Commission for a determination on whether the development would become part of the official gaming establishment.

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