By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor Updated: 05/27/2024
We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.
Expansion of Encore Boston Harbor Postponed
It has been reported that the proposed expansion of Encore Boston Harbor has been put on hold as a result of a dispute with city officials. Plans for the expansion of the casino resort have hit a roadblock, as a dispute between casino officials and city leaders over fees and taxes has forced the project to be postponed indefinitely.
The project was set to begin with the construction of 142,000 square feet of additional floor space, and the expansion was to be situated opposite the existing gaming complex in Everett, Massachusetts. According to officials, many people had been looking forward to seeing the end result, which would have meant more facilities and amenities for visitors to the casino resort.
Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings expressed disappointment during a recent earnings call. He said that while the company had earmarked funds for the Boston expansion, they now plan to redirect those resources to various other development projects worldwide. The company said:
We remain optimistic about the project fulfilling the city’s and our shared goal of developing an exciting and vibrant destination district on Lower Broadway with restaurants, hotels, theaters, and other recreational uses.
The proposed $400 million addition was aimed at enhancing the entertainment, dining, and gaming options available at the venue. Among its features were a 979-seat theater, a seven-story parking garage with over 2,000 spaces, a poker room, and a sports betting parlor.
As part of the expansion, the company also planned to relocate the Memoire nightclub from its current location within the casino building to the new addition, with a pedestrian skywalk connecting the two complexes.
Despite expressing optimism about the project’s potential to revitalize Lower Broadway with its array of amenities, Wynn Resorts acknowledged challenges in reaching an agreement with the City of Everett. Issues relating to property taxes, impact fees, and infrastructure improvements remain unresolved, and this has led to the postponement and dispute.
In a statement provided to Massachusetts TV station WBTS, officials from Wynn Resorts spoke about their commitment to finding a financially viable resolution to the issues. However, the company will now have to focus on the interests of its shareholders and ensure no further project costs are incurred until the issues have been resolved with the city.
The expansion’s second phase, which was to feature the construction of two additional hotel towers boasting 800 guestrooms, will now remain on hold until further notice, as the issues are addressed by casino and city officials.
Encore Boston Harbor currently offers 671 hotel rooms, and these are consistently booked to capacity on weekends. The expansion was something that many visitors and stakeholders were eager to see, according to officials. The postponement of the project will, therefore, come as a disappointment to all those who were looking forward to seeing the transformation of the property.
In the meantime, negotiations are now set to continue between Wynn Resorts and city officials until a resolution has been reached.
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