Politics & Government
Gaming Commission Punts on Boston's Claim to Everett Casino Until Friday
If state commission agrees that part of the proposed Everett casino lies in Boston, Charlestown residents would have a big say in the future of the gambling center.
Written by Chris Orchard
Charlestown residents could have a say in the future of a proposed casino to be located in eastern Massachusetts after attorney's representing Boston and a gambling center to be built in Everett addressed the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Wednesday, Sept. 4, regarding a dispute about the casino's location.
But the commission made no decisions about the matter.
Yet.
According to media reports, the gaming commission told the city of Boston and representatives from Wynn to come to an agreement by Friday. If they don't, the commission may take the matter into its own hands.
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Casino owner Steve Wynn has proposed a casino in Everett, just across the Mystic River from Somerville. However, Boston has argued a small patch of land where the casino would be built is actually in the city.
Boston.com explained the conflict, saying a small portion of a road called Horizon Way, near the intersection of Route 99, is actually in Boston.
If the casino is in Boston, Boston would be considered a host community. That would force Wynn to negotiate an agreement with the city, and it would give residents of Charlestown the opportunity to vote on the casino, explained BostonHerald.com.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino supports a rival casino proposal at Suffolk Downs, so designating Boston as a host community could doom the Everett proposal.
Attorneys for Wynn argued the small patch of land in Boston would not be used for any gaming, while attorneys for Boston said they've requested information about the proposal and haven't received it, Boston.com says.
On Wednesday, attorneys for both sides presented the gaming commission with lots of maps, the news website said.
Former Gov. William Weld, working for Wynn, argued the disputed land is in Everett, according to BostonHerald.com.
The Herald wrote, "Stephen Crosby, the panel's chairman, ordered both sides to meet and try to settle the matter by Friday, after which the commission would step in if there was no resolution."
Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone has spoken forcefully against the Everett casino proposal.
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