Wynn puts Boston project on hold

Thursday 25th of February 2016

Wynn Resorts, which was to begin construction of its $1.7 billion casino later this year, has said it will postpone the project as a result of continued objections to a key environmental permit by officials in Somerville, just across the river from the project, local media reports.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville was revealed as the last major holdout against the Wynn Casino. Wynn officials emphasized the cost of the delay during a recent press conference - and warned the start of construction could be delayed at least six months. “Unfortunately, construction is effectively on hold because of the appeal” of the environmental permit, said Robert DeSalvio, who is overseeing the project from Wynn’s side. “But I want to be clear: We are not going anywhere. We will build this project,” quotes Boston Globe.

Curtatone in a press conference just hours after, said he would not back down and will fight the casino for as long as it takes. Curtatone had appealed a decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection to grant Wynn a permit for a waterfront development because of the environmental impact an estimated 18,000 automobiles will have travelling to the casino each day.

According to Wynn representatives, the groundbreaking can not take place until the appeal has run its course. As a result, the company will curtail job fairs and institute a hiring freeze.

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