By Josh Resnek
The world according to John Tocco finds everything in order and under control at Encore, now coming into the final stages of construction and improvements everywhere within its spectrum.
At least this is how it sounded to the City Council Monday night after Tocco, one of Wynn Resorts chief haunchos in the local project, delivered a rousing but short presentation detailing everything being done to bring the casino/hotel development to a successful finish.
“This is a five star project all the way,” he told the councilors. “Encore is actually our higher end product in Las Vegas, in China in Macau and here in Everett,” he said.
He showed finishing touches being completed on the inside of the sprawling $2.4 billion project with a photographic display shown on the chamber’s wide screen.
“I want to thank you for coming and sharing all of this with us,” said Councilor Leo McKinnon.
McKinnon, and Councilors Wayne Matewsky and Rose DeFlorio summoned Tocco to the chamber for this progress report.
Tocco didn’t miss a note in a convincing display of understanding about what he was talking about relative to the project.
He described a roadmap of traffic mitigation efforts now ongoing at more than a half dozen locations between Santilli Circle and the Alford Street Bridge.
There are more than 145 Everett residents employed on the site right now – and this has been good for $8 million in salaries paid to date, he said.
McKinnon complimented Tocco on the security arrangements at the site – which will make of it when it is up and running, a state of the art secure space.
“I can assure you that the Encore Casino and Hotel will be the hardest place in Greater Boston to commit a crime,” Tocco said with a smile.
In keeping with company policy, not a word was said by Tocco about the ongoing investigation by the Gaming Commission.
The Commission is now determining whether or not Encore will be suitable to keep the gambling license.