Unforeseen casino challenges require action

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As we get closer to the opening date at the Encore Boston Harbor casino, unforeseen challenges are now being realized. Most recently, as the Herald’s Marie Szaniszlo reported, the casino has grabbed 700 parking spaces from a popular garage at Wellington Station.

The parking spaces are for employees of the resort, and though they’ll find the accommodations convenient, others who use the garage are already voicing concern. Kate O’Connell, who uses the Orange Line to get to work downtown, said she showed up Monday to find small signs stating that people like her with $105 monthly passes won’t be able to use them come July.

“It kind of leaves me stranded,” the 25-year-old from Medford told the Herald, noting that the garage is cheaper than most other local options. “I am still looking forward to the casino, but it’s going to add traffic and frustration to my commute.”

Likewise, Jennifer Boynton, a 47-year-old insurance broker who commutes from her Woburn home to her job in Boston, said certain people will feel especially inconvenienced.

“What about the rest of the people who’ve been coming here for forever and a day?” she asked, noting the loss comes as the MBTA is scheduled to raise fares.

“It’s going to impact a lot of people,” she said, adding that she’ll have to take her company up on its offer to let her work from home twice a week, an option she noted most people don’t have.

Emily Paone, a legal assistant who lives in Everett, called the loss of spaces to the casino a “low blow.”

“I was supportive of the casino. Now I’m (angry),” Paone said. “This is not fair to commuters. How else are we going to get to the trains? It would have been nice for them to give notice to residents of surrounding cities. Now I’ll have to leave my car at home and take a bus and a train.”

Wynn Resorts, which owns Encore, eventually will have 100 more spots in a different external garage or lot — as part of the casino empire’s signed agreement with the local cities, which states it needs to have 800 parking spots off-site for employees, Wynn Resorts spokesman Michael Weaver said.

It is important that the resort, along with affected communities, communicate with residents and the media so there are not surprises around every corner. Hardworking people do not have time to sift through community agreements, and it is incumbent on the principal parties to take the initiative. Likewise, elected leaders must be prepared to make timely adjustments to accommodate their affected constituents.

Read more https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/06/05/unforeseen-casino-challenges-require-action/