Everett wants community vote on Wynn casino plan in June

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A community host agreement between the city of Everett and Wynn Resorts is in the “final stages” as officials are now targeting a June date for a citywide referendum ballot question about a proposed casino in the area.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. has sparred with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission over a requirement that background checks on casino developers must be completed before communities can vote on projects, which could stymie the city’s timeframe for a vote, said City Councilor Michael J. McLaughlin.

“Mr. Wynn is a one-man show. His company is who they are. There’s no other partners or factors that could throw up a roadblock for this project as there have been for other projects,” McLaughlin said. “Mr. Wynn and his company are fully capable of doing business here in Massachusetts and is one of the finest casino developers in the country, or the world, realistically.”

McLaughlin added the community host agreement, which is being “kept very close to the vest from the Mayor’s office,” is expected to be completed within the next week to 10 days.

Wynn, whose first casino attempt in Foxboro with partner and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft failed to win over residents, is competing with Suffolk Downs and its partner Caesars Entertainment, and Foxwoods’ Milford proposal, for the sole Eastern Massachusetts gaming license.

Wynn has proposed a 19-story, 2.7 million-square-foot Las Vegas-style glass hotel tower with a promenade of shops and restaurants.

“I represent the area (the casino) potentially goes in and I’m very excited myself as a city councilor and lifelong resident to have Mr. Wynn in the city,” McLaughlin said. “It brings a fresh light and breath of fresh air into the city with this potential developer.”

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