New Everett mayor speaks on deal for Wynn hotels, commuter rail stop finalized last-minute under predecessor
The new Everett mayor spoke out Tuesday on a deal with Wynn hotels to back a new MBTA stop that his predecessor pushed through in the final minutes before he was sworn in, saying he will focus on “solutions, accountability and smart planning” for the project.
“While I did not negotiate this agreement, it is important to be clear this project will move forward under my administration,” said new Mayor Robert Van Campen in a press conference during his first day in office Tuesday. “My focus now is on making sure it delivers real, lasting value for the people of Everett.”
The deal between Wynn Resorts, owner of the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, and the city was announced less than an hour before Van Campen took his oath of office under outgoing mayor Carlo DeMaria.
The agreement sets up the development of two new Wynn hotels along Lower Broadway near Encore, as well as advancing plans for a full service commuter rail stop adjacent to the casino and the proposed New England Revolution soccer stadium.
Under the deal, Wynn agreed to fund up to $25 million for the MBTA stop, according to a city release, “subject to approvals by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and an agreed-upon project scope.”
The hotels would open in 2028 in the best case scenario, Van Campen said.
Van Campen cited “benefits” of the project Tuesday, including projections of close to $12 million a year in revenue and infrastructure investments, Wynn’s commitment of $15 million for transportation improvements like bus lanes in addition to the MBTA stop, a pedestrian bridge connecting the casino and theater, and guarantees of union jobs.
“I support the core of this agreement: continued revitalization of the waterfront, strong union job opportunities during construction and long after opening, and major transit investments that benefit the entire region,” said Van Campen.
“But as someone who inherited this deal, I’m also inheriting its challenges,” the new mayor added. “I am concerned about traffic and congestion in an area that is already heavily traveled, and I have real questions about the location and feasibility of the proposed commuter rail stop.”
Van Campen said he is concerned about the proposed location of the stop behind the Encore facility, rather than a more location on the other side of Broadway and Route 99 allowing investors to “really activate opportunities on that side of the of the roadway.”
Asked if there is a need for 800 new hotel rooms in the area, Van Campen said “I think the concept is, there will be a need with further development to have the additional hotel space.”
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The new mayor also spoke on the deal with the Kraft Group to move the Everett soccer stadium forward days ago, saying only that his team is looking at both deals now.
“My goal is to maximize benefits for the people of Everett,” said Van Campen. “And my hope is that my predecessor, through due diligence, did make that happen with these deals, but we’re still looking at them.”
