A 2009 Study Estimated Construction Costs Would Run between $5.4 Million and $7.7 Million
Wynn Resorts has filed once again for permission to build a pedestrian footbridge across the Mystic River. To support its petition, the gaming company has commissioned a $250,000 report to study the advantages of such a footpath.
Wynn said the bridge would be created for pedestrians and cyclists, but not automobile traffic. The bridge is meant to connect the city of Everett with the Somerville Assembly Square. The Mystic River waterfront of Everett is the site of the projected Wynn Resorts casino.
Advantages for Wynn Resorts
Besides linking bicycle paths and walking paths on either side of the Mystic River, the footbridge would bring with it a significant advantage for Wynn Everett Casino. Such a bridge would make it much easier for the people in the Boston metropolitan area to gamble at the casino, so such a development could mean millions of dollars a year–perhaps tens of millions a year–to the Wynn Everett.
Orange Line Access
It would link the casino via footpath to the Orange Line of the Boston Metropolitan subway system. That single addition would mean over a million Bostonians would be minutes away from the Wynn Everett Casino, instead of a long drive out through heavy traffic.
Wynn Resorts is likely to argue that the footbridge would ease traffic jams between Boston and Everett, too. The traffic situation and increased need for infrastructure had been a key argument against building a gaming venue in Everett, which is north of Boston.
Using that line of logic, Steve Wynn could argue that the bridge would benefit the wider area, which might be an argument for sharing the costs of building such a structure. The gaming company’s public relations seems focused on limiting bad publicity over any bridge being built. That is one of the reasons Wynn’s petition and research grant was couched in the terms that it was.
Conservation Dept Asked to Do Research
Though it offered a quarter of a million dollars to fund the study, Wynn Resorts wants to avoid charges of an economically-motivated study. Wynn suggested the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, because it would be a state-guided research program with no ties to Wynn Resorts itself.
The Conservation Department conducted a similar study in 2009 to discuss the advantages of a Mystic River footbridge in Everett. At the time, researchers estimated that a bridge would cost between $5.4 and $7.7 million. Given inflation and a better economy, estimates for such a bridge are likely to be raised 5% to 10% if it were built in 2015 or in the next few years.
Funding for the Project
Wynn Resorts did not say in its application who it felt should fund the costs of a footbridge. Funding could turn into a political hot-button issue. The city of Everett would benefit economically from the footbridge, while residents in the area could enjoy more scenic walks and bike rides. The state of Massachusetts likely would benefit economically from the bridge. No doubt, public officials and taxpayers are likely to point out that Wynn Resorts would stand to benefit the most from such a bridge.
“Outside parties” have suggested Wynn Resorts pay for such a bridge. The Las Vegas casino gaming company is spending $1.7 billion to build the Everett casino, so it might well balk at spending an additional $5 million to $10 million on the footbridge.
Announcement Planned Soon
The gaming company did say in a press release associated with its filing that it planned to announce in the coming weeks more details on a footbridge plan. It is possible Steve Wynn will suggest multiple parties contribute to the building plan, defraying costs to his company while appearing reasonable.
Wynn Resorts is likely to be leery of touching off a political debate on the bridge issue. The licensing process was a bruising experience, even by casino development project standards. Several lawsuits have been filed, including one over the Everett land deal. The Gaming Commission’s chairman currently is being sued over allegations he showed favor to Wynn Resorts. Boston’s mayor, Marty Walsh, is also suing for millions of dollars in mitigation fees.
