Kennedy signs off on casino agreement

LYNN – An agreement between city officials and Suffolk Downs developers paying the city $350,000 a year acknowledges the traffic impact of a proposed Revere gambling complex on Lynn and “problem or compulsive gambling in the city.””I have signed it subject to (city) council approval,” said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy.Councilors are scheduled to review the 12-page agreement tonight as Suffolk casino developers, including Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun, compete for a state license with Everett casino developer Wynn LLC.The state Gaming Commission has changed its deadline for granting a license several times, with the date moving from May 30 to June 30. The commission’s website currently states that gaming officials “will soon issue more definitive timelines” for awarding a license to Wynn or Suffolk-Mohegan.Communities bordering both potential gambling sites have hammered out agreements with developers promising the cities and towns a share of gambling money or other benefits. Lynn’s annual payment will begin 90 days after a Suffolk casino opens.Lynn has signed a “neighboring community” agreement with Wynn outlining hiring benefit and nonprofit agency assistance efforts that could come from a casino opening in Everett. The agreement lists no specific monetary payment to the city.The Lynn-Suffolk agreement also guarantees Lynn’s participation in Suffolk-Mohegan’s commitment to the city of Revere to spend “not less than $50 million in goods and services from vendors and companies with a principal place of business with a 15-mile radius of Revere City Hall.””The proposed project will promote small businesses and the tourism industry, and have a positive economic impact throughout the region (including the city),” states the agreement signed by Kennedy.The agreement requires Suffolk-Mohegan – if they are licensed – to provide an “on-site compulsive gambling facility” and counseling services. The agreement also weighs potential traffic impact from a Suffolk casino on Lynn roads.A Suffolk casino boosts traffic on the Lynnway-Route 1A by about 2 percent, according to the agreement, and Western Avenue-Route 107 by 1 percent “compared to existing traffic volumes.””There is very limited potential for (R)esort traffic from outside Lynn to use the local roadway network as short-cuts,” the agreement states.Casino traffic is a point of disagreement between Revere and Everett officials with Mayor Daniel Rizzo pointing out that “Mohegan Sun’s front door will be located just across the street from the existing Beachmont Blue Line station.”Rizzo, in a statement, said Revere officials “engaged independent experts” to review Suffolk developers’ traffic plans. He said recommended improvements match transportation improvement suggestions offered by a Boston-based planning agency.Everett city officials insist Suffolk Downs gambling traffic would affect Everett’s roads.