The opening ceremonies on Sunday morning,
June 23, quickly became a spotlight for the transformation of the Lower Mystic
area of Charlestown, Chelsea, Everett and Somerville from a forgotten,
polluted, industrial center to a thriving and environmentally sound area of booming
economic activity.
Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox led off his comments by saying that the goals of the state expanded gaming laws had been met in Greater Boston by Encore.
“What an amazing day it is today,” he said.
“Eight years ago the people of Massachusetts and the lawmakers had the
foresight to understand that with the passage of gaming regulation there could
be the possibility of urban renewal, economic development and for the finest
integrated resorts in the world. Those were the goals and I’m here to tell you
that Encore Boston Harbor has achieved those goals.”
Like others, he also emphasized the
environmental transformation of the site from desolate to decadent – with a big
‘thank you’ to the trades for transforming it during construction, having many
workers from Charlestown on the job.
“Seven years ago I was standing here on this
site with the mayor (of Everett), just us two, and there wasn’t a blade of
grass on the site,” he said. “Now there are 1,000 mature trees, 50,000
flowering plants, tens of thousands of shrubs and a living shoreline for the
first time in 100 years…The building trades, the men and women who built this
under the leadership of John Fish and Suffolk Construction, are the best our
company has ever seen.”
Cathy Judd-Stein, chair of the Massachusetts
Gaming Commission (MGC), said the opening of Encore was the opening of
prosperity to all residents of the state.
“Encore Boston Harbor’s opening not only
marks the arrival of an international entertainment destination on Everett’s spectacular
shoreline, but also symbolizes a new opportunity for economic growth for all
the citizens of Massachusetts,” she said. “This state has one of the most
stringent gaming laws in the country and its standards are high. Encore Boston
Harbor has met those requirements and, indeed, in many instances exceeded those
commitments…Encore has demonstrated a relentless dedication to diversity and
local spending and hiring…and provided substantial mitigation funding to host
and surrounding communities.”
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria also emphasized
the environmental clean-up that has resulted from the casino project.
“For those of you who suffered through
Monsanto and other big industries that polluted our properties and got us all
very sick, I want to thank you for all you did; people like (the late) Mary
Bagarella and others,” he said. “No longer when you drive through Everett will
you smell gas and Sulphur and oils, but you’ll smell flowers and trees. We will
no longer be the back door to the City of Boston. We will now be the front door
to the City of Everett.”
And it was true for all of those who
commented as such.
As they spoke on what was an extraordinary
summer morning, the new trees on the Porte Cochere rustled in the wind, and
songbirds flew in and out of the crowd assembled for the opening from tree to
tree.
There were no songbirds on the site five
years ago, quite certainly.
And beyond the Encore site, there still
exist areas up and down Lower Broadway that look more like the past than the
present at 1 Broadway (the Encore address).
Maddox and the Everett mayor used the
opening to discuss more in-depth their plans for the corridor in what they
believe will be the premier entertainment district in the northeast.
Maddox told reporters on June 21 at the Encore
media day that they don’t intend to stop at the boundaries of the casino site,
and they believe others will follow them.
Maddox said they own 11 acres of property
across from Encore that amounts to 82 parcels they’ve purchases over the last
four years. That property is now a temporary parking lot, but there are much
bigger plans in store.
“We want to work with the City to create an
entertainment district,” said Maddox. “It’s not all going to be our company,
but we want to work side by side with local developers. Our idea is to continue
to re-design this area so it’s known as ‘the’ entertainment district in the
northeast. You build this anchor and others look and say, ‘Look at the
opportunity.’ We’ve acquired a lot of land here – others have too. We’re really
excited for the next decade in Everett.”
Gov. Charlie Baker’s staff and Lt. Gov.
Karyn Polito’s staff said they could not attend the opening due to scheduling
conflicts. Baker did visit for a tour Friday morning and issued the following
statement.
“Governor Baker was pleased to spend time
with some of the more than 5,000 new Encore staffers and take a short tour of
the facility where he wished everyone a safe and successful opening weekend,”
read a statement from his office.
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon
cutting, featuring several employees and public officials.
After all of the speeches and discussion of
future plans, there was a countdown from 10, and a surprise day-time fireworks
show erupted over the Encore cove and the Mystic River.
In the background, Frank Sinatra’s ‘Nothing
but the best’ played over a loudspeaker as those on the Porte Cochere erupted
into loud applause.
And then the doors opened, or rather, were
opened for everyone by Everett resident – and Encore doorman – Gasper Ambrose.
The casino is open 24-hours a day.
Link:
Front Door to Luxury: Encore Boston Harbor to Continue Transformation of Lower Mystic Region