The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is imposing a series of conditions on Encore Boston Harbor’s proposal for a mixed-use development across the street where the venue sits. Operator Wynn Resorts had long shown an interest in utilizing the land across the Everett casino for the construction of a new entertainment venue, restaurants and parking garage.
State regulators ruled on Monday that the development would not fall under its jurisdiction or oversight, but only after imposing seven conditions on the gaming license, meant to satisfy concerns commissioners raised with the project, reports WWLP.
While commissioners agreed last week that the development satisfies the first three criteria for it to be considered part of the casino’s official gaming establishment, therefore putting it under commission jurisdiction, the regulator did not find it to fit the fourth criterion: whether the MGC has a regulatory interest in having the project be part of the official gaming establishment.
Todd Grossman, the commission’s general counsel, had a list of seven conditions drafted and ready for consideration at Monday morning’s meeting: two address the concerns the commission had with the planned live entertainment venue; while two require Wynn to submit security plans for a proposed pedestrian bridge and parking garage.
Rendering for the proposed expansion plan
Another condition bars employees at the development from having access to restricted gaming-related spaces; and one requires Wynn to submit plans for any future developments in the area to the commission ahead of time. Additionally, commissioners also require that the proposal begin its Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review process.
“We are agreeable to all the conditions as set forth in this meeting,” Jacqui Krum, Encore Boston Harbor’s senior VP, told the commission Monday, according to State House News Service. After the conditions had been approved, the executive said Wynn would be back in front of the commission “shortly” with plans.
As per the conditions, Wynn must submit a pedestrian bridge plan covering a series of issues, such as how someone could use the bridge but exit before being directed into the casino, and a security plan within 90 days of Monday’s decision. A security plan for the proposed parking space must also be filed with the commission “at least 60 days before it opens.”
The development along Broadway, Everett, calls for 20,000 square feet of restaurant space, a 999-seat live entertainment venue, a 2,200-space parking garage, and a 400-foot pedestrian bridge connecting the site to the casino. Later phases of the project would seek to include two hotels and a brewery, along with other to-be-determined amenities.
A prior version of Wynn’s plans featured a proposal to include a 1,800-seat entertainment venue, but this was scaled back to accommodate a restriction on entertainment venue sizes, which states casinos may not build or operate such venues with seating for between 1,000 and 3,500 guests.
Wynn’s development is now to be subjected to a local planning process in Everett, in addition to undergoing a MEPA review. Proposed future phases of the development would also have to be presented before the Gaming Commission, according to officials.
