THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 23, 2024 Page 5 Celebrating Black History Month Celebrate Black History Month at events at the Everett Recreation Center M ayor Carlo DeMaria was pleased to announce that the City of Everett’s Recreation and Youth Development Department will host a series of events in celebration of Black History Month titled “Journey of Champions: Everett Athletics Black History Celebration” from Tuesday, Feb. 20 to Friday, Feb. 23. All events will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Everett Recreation Center (47 Elm St.). All are welcome to celebrate Black History Month through sport at Former Ward 6 City Councillor Al Lattanzi was in attendance along with city and state offi cials in celebration of Black History Month and the signing of the Civil Rights Bill on July 2, 1964 at the Zion Church Ministries. Shown from left the right: Bishop Regina Shearer, Zion Church Ministries, Rev. Leroy Mahoney, First Baptist Church Saugus, Bishop Robert Brown, Evangelist Marcia Brown, former Ward 6 City Councillor Al Lattanzi and Rev. Jarrell Riggins, Green Street Baptist Church, Melrose. The event was held on Sunday, February 18, 2024. ENCORE | FROM PAGE 1 the street will have a gaming component,” although she cautioned things are still contingent on approvals by the state Environmental Protection Agency and Mass. Gaming Commission. Realty Income Corp. properties will be generating more income and, not surprisingly, people feel the City should have a share in that. Casinos and stadiums, among other things, have agreements with their host communities to contribute to them in some way. Winthrop has a mitigation agreement with the Mass. Water Resources Authority (MWRA) because a sewage treatment plant is there; Foxboro benefits from the New England Patriots’ football stadium and Mansfi eld benefi ts from the Xfi nity Center, formerly Great Woods. City Council President Robert Van Campen feels additional funds “could transform the city.” He’s referring to money and how it can benefi t a community hosting a facility that while being an asset also can add stress to its infrastructure. DeMaria has expressed similar sentiments. A Host Community Agreement substitutes for standard property assessment. Right now, Encore pays about $33 million to Everett, $23 million of which is in the Host Community Agreement and $6.7 million in Community Impact Payments. Wynn Resorts, Limited recently sold their land to Realty Income Corp. for $1.7 billion, which is another opportunity for restructuring. “It will give the City the ability to assess personal property not in the previous Host Agreement,” Deveney said. Personal property refers to items in commercial and industrial parcels, like offi ce equipment and, even, barbershop chairs. At Encore it might cover gaming tables as well. Without a new Host Community Agreement, Realty Income Corp. would pay standard assessment rates of $25 per $1,000 of assessed value across Lower Broadway. A new Host Community Agreement will not require approval by the Council, although Deveney said DeMaria would keep them informed. “I’d encourage each of you to have open dialogue with the administration and you don’t need to wait for City Council meetings,” she said. “I will forward the request for the City Council to review an agreement before its signature,” Deveney reacted. Meanwhile, there are longterm plans to build a 26,000seat soccer stadium for the New England Revolution, which is owned by NE Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and other teams in the area or other events, although things are moving slowly. Rewording of zoning to change the status of 43 acres in the area from a Designated Port Area (DPA) for other uses made its way through the State Senate, but was not included in legislation in the House of Representatives. Both State Senator Sal DiDomenico and DeMaria have expressed disappointment in the situation. “I fi led a bill that was referred ENCORE | SEE PAGE 8 the Recreation Center, where there will be live speakers, cultural food, movies showcasing Black excellence in sport throughout history, music and more. Attendees will also be able to learn more about Everett’s Black athletes through interactive learning stations. The following is a list of the featured themes for each night: • Friday, Feb. 23: Football Night. For more information, please visit cityofeverett.com/calendar/category/events/list. Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? For more info, call (857) 249-7882
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