(FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn may have moved on from Foxborough, but that does not mean that he has given up his casino ambitions in the state of Massachusetts.
Wynn and Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria announced on Tuesday that the pair plan to meet to "discuss preliminary talks regarding the development of a resort casino" in the city.
Wynn has set his sights on Everett as a potential site to build a casino, and one of Wynn's top executives visited the site of the former Monsanto Chemical site, just off Route 99 near the Mystic River, within the last few weeks.
>>Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. and City Councilor Michael McLaughlin weigh in
Mayor Carlo DeMaria said in a statement Monday night, "I am looking forward to seeing what Wynn Resorts presents for the development of a resort in the city of Everett. I am excited to see how Wynn's vision for this site may complement my vision for the future of Everett."
Aside from traffic issues, some residents of Everett seemed fairly optimistic regarding the possible casino site.
Wynn reportedly plans on meeting with Everett's mayor on Wednesday to personally check out the site.
Just like in Foxborough, Mayor DeMaria said voters will have the final say.
"We have 6 percent unemployment rate...The casino's proposing anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 jobs. Let's say, language like 'Everett preference, Everett resident only' you know working and then the surrounding communities getting some employment also. Those are important things that have to be in this agreement."
"It would bring the economy up in the area," said Karen Anderson. "It would give people jobs, and I just think it would be nice, instead of everybody traveling to Rhode Island and Connecticut."
In May, Wynn suspended efforts to bring a $1 billion casino resort to Foxborough on land to be leased from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft after the town turned aside efforts to negotiate a development proposal.
In addition to Everett, Suffolk Downs and Caesars Entertainment have applied for casino development rights at the East Boston race track which could set up a potential battle with a Wynn casino.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has allowed for three casino licenses across the state. Preliminary applications for developers need to be handed in to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by Jan. 15.
During Tuesday's meeting of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Chairman Stephen Crosby said he was pleased to hear about more competition and that it would be good for Massachusetts.
"Obviously somebody's been listening to the commission talking about competition and are pleased to read the newspapers and see that things are happening in western and eastern Massachusetts which is exciting, and I think good for the Commonwealth," Crosby said.
Wynn is expected to speak with reporters during his visit on Wednesday.