Town Manager James McKenna attended a conference this week in Chelsea where Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki announced the release of a regional planning study that identifies priority development and preservation areas for nine communities including Winthrop. The Patrick Administration has identified the Metro North sub-region of Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Somerville, Revere, Winthrop, and the Charlestown and East Boston neighborhoods of Boston as amenable to this project.
McKenna, who was warmly greeted by the mayors, city and state officials in attendance — yes, the word is out about McKenna’s brilliant leadership and decision-making in our town — said he will review the study. We agree with Mr. McKenna’s preliminary analysis that Winthrop could complement any major developments in other Metro North communities, but that he first has to evaluate how the plan would improve areas of Winthrop such as the Center business district that was mentioned in the report.
Surprisingly, we didn’t see any mention of the Wynn Resorts five-star hotel and casino project, which everyone agrees will be a major difference-maker on the economic and development impact on the communities closest to the Wynn site in Everett. Wynn has been granted the Greater Boston casino license, but the state’s voters will decide on Nov. 4 whether to repeal the casino law or allow gaming to move forward.