EVERETT - Wynn Resorts, primed to begin construction on a $1.7 billion casino this spring, said Wednesday it is postponing groundbreaking indefinitely because of an appeal of a key environmental permit filed earlier this month by Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone.

At a press conference at the site for the planned casino, Robert DeSalvio, Wynn’s top executive on the project, said Curtatone’s appeal means more delay for the thousands of construction workers slated to work on the development.

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“Unfortunately, construction is effectively on hold because of the appeal,” DeSalvio said. “But I want to be clear: We are not going anywhere. We will build this project.”In a move clearly intended to put pressure on Curtatone, DeSalvio was joined at the press conference by dozens of labor representatives and casino supporters, who provided loud applause and cheers.“We embrace and celebrate Wynn coming here,” said Henry Green, of the hotel workers union. “We need these good-paying jobs.” Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria directed his comments directly to Curtatone.“Joe, it’s time to forget the appeal,” DeMaria said to cheers. “For one person to stand in the way, and to delay thousands of jobs for nine months or a year, and he won’t even get what he’s after in the end.” Advertisement Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said a Wynn casino “presents a big opportunity” to provide well-paying jobs for working people.“Wynn is not some fly-by-night operation,” he said.On Feb. 11, Curtatone, an unwavering opponent of Wynn Resorts’ planned 24-story casino and hotel complex along the Mystic River, appealed a decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection to grant Wynn a permit for a waterfront development.Curtatone says he is challenging the permit because more needs to be done to address the health and environmental impact of an estimated 18,000 automobiles that will come to the casino each day. Wynn representatives says they can not begin laying a foundation on the long-dormant site until the appeal has run its course.DeSalvio also said Wynn will curtail job fairs that were intended to sign up casino employees, and will also institute a hiring freeze. Wynn has estimated that the casino will employ 4,000.John Fish, chief executive officer of Fish Construction, which has a contract to build the casinos, expressed fear that more delay could lead to the Boston region gaining a reputation as being unfriendly to business.“This will attract people nationally and internationally,” he said. “This is a chance to showcase our culture.”Sean P. Murphy can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow him on Twitter @spmurphyboston.