Wynn Resorts is rethinking plans to develop the land across the street from its Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, according to a Gaming Commission official. Development included an entertainment venue, restaurants and a parking garage.
Joe Delaney, the Gaming Commission’s Chief of Community Affairs, said he was prepared to brief the commission. The plan was set to include a 1,800-seat entertainment venue, about 20,000 square feet of restaurant space and a garage containing about 2,200 spaces.
He also said the plans are not being withdrawn with the Everett Planning Department. Instead, the local public hearing process will be put on hold until a more concrete plan is ready to be presented.
The Gaming Commission was going to consider whether a development across the street from the casino would be considered part of Encore’s technical “gaming establishment” footprint. This would make it subject to the commission’s regulatory oversight and the provisions of the state’s expanded gaming law.
Delany said he heard from casino officials that they have “decided to pause the permitting process for this development so that they can do some reevaluation on whether the development as proposed is the best use for the site.”
“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.”
