Approximately 100 community leaders gathered last Wednesday afternoon to view plans for the Wynn Hotel/Casino, slated for the former Monsanto site on the Mystic River near Route 99 in Everett.
On Wednesday, March 27, the Edward Connolly Center was transformed into a Las Vegas-inspired venue, complete with yellow drapes, artistic lighting, and Frank Sinatra music playing throughout. Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. and Gamal Aziz, Chief Operating Officer of Wynn Development, convened a press conference to unveil the latest details about the proposed integrated resort casino planned for lower Broadway on the former Monsanto site straddling the Mystic River.
The presentation offered attendees their first glimpse of the resort’s renderings and design plans. DeMaria and Aziz presented information covering the location, resort components, room count, size specifications, and waterfront connectivity.
“This is the most admired gaming company in the world,” Aziz addressed the assembled group of nearly 100 elected officials and community leaders regarding the proposed 19-story luxury hotel complex.
The 19-story hotel/casino complex carries an estimated price tag of $1.3-$1.5 billion and would be constructed in a single phase. Construction is projected to employ approximately 4,000 workers, while the completed complex would generate 4,000 permanent positions.
According to Aziz, the luxury hotel would feature 550 guest suites, ranging from approximately 700 square feet for standard rooms to 2,500 square feet for larger suites—significantly larger than typical Boston hotel accommodations. He highlighted plans for a museum-quality winter garden and noted that local boutiques and restaurants would occupy the skylight atrium, emphasizing Boston’s local character rather than featuring high-end chains like Cartier or Louis Vuitton typical of Wynn properties.
Waterfront utilization was a key focus of the presentation. “We want to give the river walk back to the citizens of Everett,” Aziz noted. The existing Boston Harbor water taxi system would be expanded to serve the site, bringing tourists, gamblers, and shoppers to the location.
The casino itself would occupy the rear of the complex, positioned away from the waterfront promenade, local shops, and the hotel lobby.
“People will be able to enjoy the entire facility without ever seeing a casino,” he said.
“This was a great opportunity to display the latest progress on the proposed development that the Wynn Group has skillfully been designing for the last couple of months,” said DeMaria, “This is an exciting time for our entire community and we will continue including residents and officials in all discussions regarding the latest news and progress.”
Beyond the rendering presentation, Mayor DeMaria outlined the potential benefits the development could bring to Everett through resources and funding that would support the city’s evolution according to residents’ vision for its future. Wynn officials and the City are currently negotiating a host community agreement, with a referendum on Everett’s casino potentially occurring as soon as this summer.
State gaming legislation requires Wynn Development to fund all necessary road repairs and construction projects to provide access to the new casino.
Both Mayor DeMaria and the Wynn Group emphasized that resident and community group participation represents the project’s most critical element. The process is intended to enable residents to voice their perspectives on Everett’s present and future direction.
An open forum community meeting is scheduled for today, Wednesday, April 3, at the Connolly Center at 6:30 p.m.