I side with Mayor Joe Curtatone on this one. Casinos, imho, have absolutely no place here in this area. First of all, it'll lead to more prostitution and gambling, etc., here in the Bay State. Secondly, the jobs that the casino presumably creates will be more low-paying service jobs that don't pay a living wage to people. Thirdly, there's a huge enough problem of traffic congestion as it is here in Somerville and other nearby cities and towns, and having a casino will only add to that problem, in a huge way.
In any case, I believe it'll be too much of a distraction. There are too many other things (i. e. movie theatres, good stores and restaurants, performing arts theatres, as well as museums, etc.) going on here in the Boston area, and especially Boston proper, to have a gambling joint (i. e. a casino) put up in this general area.
First of all, it'll lead to more prostitution and gambling, etc.,
I thought more gambling was the point of a casino?
I hear you on some of the other potential impacts (although there are some living wage job stipulations - if they are enforced - and this development will clean up a very toxic area along the river).
as a resident of Everett, when are the cities of Boston and Somerville gonna ask me for permission to do anything since I live less than 5 miles from the each city hall and don't get a voice....oh wait. I'm a grown-up. If I don't like it tough shit.
From the standpoint of developing cities, Boston and Somerville got hosed. The planned Sullivan Square redevelopment project may help connect Somerville to Charlestown and spur development along the area. However, the casino traffic put a significant wrench in that.
I can see why they would sue, but it seems like a long shot. I personally think these cities both lost out on the deal as they (and we?) may have lost a potential urban environment @ Sullivan Square due to a casino that "everyone else" wants.
I hope the city of Somerville doesn't spend too much money on this suit, because the odds are heavily against its success.
I'd much rather see the city concentrate on making sure that Wynn is required to build a pedestrian bridge across the Mystic, so that the casino and Assembly Row can mutually benefit from each other. The best way to reduce the casino's traffic impact is to provide it with excellent public transit access -- and the new Assembly Orange Line station is right there, just 1100 feet away.
I doubt you will ever see that, Curotone has been adamantly against the casino from day one and would never support infrastructure that benefited it in anyway, even if it was also beneficial to Somerville.
Simple. Look at where all the upscale shops are in Boston?
Now consider this scenario: The spouse and inlaw of a conference attendee decide to go check out the casino. They take the Orange Line and discover this nice shopping area. Spouse decides to stay there, drink some coffee, and do some shopping. Inlaw heads over to the casino. They share lunch at Assembly Row before returning.
This stuff happens more than you think. If they can draw traffic through the area from Boston (given the novelty of the casino), that means more money spent and more jobs in Somerville.
Another scenario (I know people who do this in areas near Casinos): Grandparents are in town and want to visit the casino. Junior wants to go to a movie or kid-friendly attraction (the Lego place). Money is spent in both places in a single trip.
Comments
As a Somerville resident,
I side with Mayor Joe Curtatone on this one. Casinos, imho, have absolutely no place here in this area. First of all, it'll lead to more prostitution and gambling, etc., here in the Bay State. Secondly, the jobs that the casino presumably creates will be more low-paying service jobs that don't pay a living wage to people. Thirdly, there's a huge enough problem of traffic congestion as it is here in Somerville and other nearby cities and towns, and having a casino will only add to that problem, in a huge way.
Of course
you're right. We should instead use that location for a hotel and mall, as they have no traffic and very high paying jobs.
We don't need any casinos in this area, because
the last thing we need is for this general area to become another Mohegan Sun, Fox Woods, or even another Atlantic City, NJ.
We're not going to become another Uncasville or Atlantic City
There's a bit more to the Boston area than just endless acres of woods or the sad remnants of a town whose heyday was several decades ago.
I seriously don't see the point of having a casino in this area.
In any case, I believe it'll be too much of a distraction. There are too many other things (i. e. movie theatres, good stores and restaurants, performing arts theatres, as well as museums, etc.) going on here in the Boston area, and especially Boston proper, to have a gambling joint (i. e. a casino) put up in this general area.
They are going to clean up
They are going to clean up Monsanto ,which is right across the way from the Winter Hill Yacht club , so that's a positve!
Isn't that the point of a casino
I thought more gambling was the point of a casino?
I hear you on some of the other potential impacts (although there are some living wage job stipulations - if they are enforced - and this development will clean up a very toxic area along the river).
Gambling ? Somerville ?
Gambling ? Somerville ?
as a resident of Everett,
as a resident of Everett, when are the cities of Boston and Somerville gonna ask me for permission to do anything since I live less than 5 miles from the each city hall and don't get a voice....oh wait. I'm a grown-up. If I don't like it tough shit.
Somerville and Boston got hosed...
From the standpoint of developing cities, Boston and Somerville got hosed. The planned Sullivan Square redevelopment project may help connect Somerville to Charlestown and spur development along the area. However, the casino traffic put a significant wrench in that.
I can see why they would sue, but it seems like a long shot. I personally think these cities both lost out on the deal as they (and we?) may have lost a potential urban environment @ Sullivan Square due to a casino that "everyone else" wants.
I guess time will tell huh...?
Longshot lawsuit
I hope the city of Somerville doesn't spend too much money on this suit, because the odds are heavily against its success.
I'd much rather see the city concentrate on making sure that Wynn is required to build a pedestrian bridge across the Mystic, so that the casino and Assembly Row can mutually benefit from each other. The best way to reduce the casino's traffic impact is to provide it with excellent public transit access -- and the new Assembly Orange Line station is right there, just 1100 feet away.
Assembly row is great the way it now is!
What the hell do we need a casino in the general vicinity for? We don't, as far as I'm concerned.
I think that a casino would overshadow Asssembly Row....
by a lot!
I doubt you will ever see
I doubt you will ever see that, Curotone has been adamantly against the casino from day one and would never support infrastructure that benefited it in anyway, even if it was also beneficial to Somerville.
Okay, anon:
Here's a question: How would Somerville benefit from a casino that's in one of the nearby cities? It wouldn't, as far as I'm concerned.
Tourist money
Simple. Look at where all the upscale shops are in Boston?
Now consider this scenario: The spouse and inlaw of a conference attendee decide to go check out the casino. They take the Orange Line and discover this nice shopping area. Spouse decides to stay there, drink some coffee, and do some shopping. Inlaw heads over to the casino. They share lunch at Assembly Row before returning.
This stuff happens more than you think. If they can draw traffic through the area from Boston (given the novelty of the casino), that means more money spent and more jobs in Somerville.
Another scenario (I know people who do this in areas near Casinos): Grandparents are in town and want to visit the casino. Junior wants to go to a movie or kid-friendly attraction (the Lego place). Money is spent in both places in a single trip.
The best way to reduce the casino's traffic impact is to limit t
The best way to reduce the casino's traffic impact is to limit the parking.
Dont you think every city and
Dont you think every city and town within rolling distance will have their old geyser buses coming on day trips. That will save some parking spots.
Link is gone
404 Not found, tried finding it on Google as well but no luck.
Try now
Found the link.