Politics & Government

Las Vegas Casino Developer Steve Wynn is Headed to Foxborough

Kraft in negotiations with Wynn for casino near Gillette Stadium. ‎

Steve Wynn, a major leader in the Las Vegas resort casino industry, is curious to see if Foxborough residents are interested in placing a hand in hosting a major resort project.

Wynn is headed to Foxborough Sunday to attend the Patriots game against the Colts as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's guest. The football game is not the only interest of Wynn's on Sunday however; he is also interested in gauging the temperature among residents and town leaders on hosting a major resort project. According to the Boston Globe, Kraft is in negotiations with Wynn to propose a $1 billion casino near Gillette Stadium, which would also include a hotel, retail, restaurants, and large entertainment facilities.

“We believe that Wynn Resorts is best in class in the resort destination industry, and we’ve invited Steve Wynn to visit Foxborough to meet with residents and decide if there is mutual interest in exploring a resort destination here. He’ll attend the game Sunday and talk to some residents and officials about what a project of the caliber of Wynn Resorts would mean for economic development in Foxborough," Kraft Group spokesman Jeff Cournoyer said.

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Wynn, who was dubbed the "gaming industry's most brilliant designer" by TIME Magazine, played a major role in the 1990s resurgence and expansion of the Las Vegas Strip.

Massachusetts officially bet in favor of casino gambling last week as Gov. Patrick signed "" into law at the State House, prompting developers to "officially" begin talks with particular regions in the state. The new state casino law requires approval in a local referendum for any casino.

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In late summer of this year, a draft of zoning changes for Foxborough by a lawyer for the Kraft Group raised the idea that the Kraft family could play a role in the State's gambling plans.

A lawyer for the Kraft Group drafted zoning changes for the town that would have paved the way for casino gambling. The zoning changes were then submitted to Foxborough's Town Manager, Kevin Paicos. Paicos brought the issue to the board of selectmen and the town's planning board. The against bringing the to town meeting, specifically making a motion to "not support any zoning changes to gambling anywhere in the town of Foxborough." 

Paicos noted at the time of the board meeting that the town was being approached by a number of developers.

"They came to Foxborough. We did not go to them," said Paicos. "The casino development community considers Foxborough an ideal location for development of the northern region casino."

Many Foxborough residents have expressed their opposition of bringing a casino to town, conveying that it would change the town character forever.

"I think this will once again take the town in a direction it shouldn't be going," said lifelong Foxborough resident Brad Diesso in a recent Facebook discussion.

Mere hours after the news of Wynn's trip to Foxborough was reported, multiple Facebook groups have emerged against a casino in Foxborough. One friend/group entitled "No Fox-Vegas," is described as "Let's show Mr. Wynn that Foxboro does not want to become Fox-Vegas!" Another group is called, "Say No to Foxboro Casino."

Some residents have spoken out in support of a casino in Foxborough, citing "more jobs, revenue and economic development" as the main reasons as to why the town should encourage the development.

In a recent Foxborough Patch poll, 35 percent of those polled say they support the idea of a casino in Foxborough; 33 percent oppose a casino in town and 30 percent are undecided.

Cournoyer said that Wynn plans on talking "to some residents and officials about what a project of the caliber of Wynn Resorts would mean for economic development in Foxborough" at Sunday's Patriots game.

"We have not reached an agreement to lease our land. We would only agree to proceed if there was mutual interest between Wynn Resorts and the town of Foxboro," he said.

The Kraft Group has been interested in developing the land across from Patriot Place for several years. Kraft representatives recently discussed the proposed possibilities for the Route 1 area across from the stadium at a Foxborough planning board meeting in October. These included the possibility of a casino; a convention center; a business development center/office park; and the activation of a permanent MBTA commuter rail stop which could house the engines at the Foxboro terminals.

In response to the latest developments, the Route 1 Citizens Action Committee is continuing the discussion from the Oct. 13 planning board meeting concerning the proposed zoning law changes for Route 1 on Dec. 8.

"This is not just a Foxboro issue. These proposed changes would affect all surrounding towns resulting in increased crime and traffic to say the least," stated the committee in the agenda. "We are not opposed to the advancement of development in the area but feel that it should be in the best interest of the communities that area serves."


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