Everett residents can officially welcome a new neighbor, in the form of Wynn Resorts.

The gambling giant, which was given the sole Boston-area license to build a resort casino in Everett last fall, announced Monday that it has finalized a $35 million acquisition of its 33-acre site just outside Sullivan Square. The former Monsanto property is due for a big clean-up effort under Wynn’s watch before the company can get cracking on the resort, tentatively scheduled for a 2017 opening.

“The acquisition of the property keeps us on schedule and moving closer to construction,’’ Wynn Everett President Robert DeSalvio said in a statement. “Today, we hit the ‘go’ button and we’re not stopping until a spectacular Wynn Resort with a new waterfront public park for all to access and enjoy is completed.’’


The site has been at the center of controversy, as two of its owners were indicted in October for allegedly concealing the ownership stake of convicted felon Charles Lightbody, who was also indicted. (Another owner of the site who was not indicted, Paul Lohnes, has past ties to Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby. Crosby eventually recused himself last spring from all discussion related to the awarding of the Eastern Massachusetts casino license.)

The indictments are central to two separate lawsuits, from Revere and Somerville, aimed at stopping the casino from moving forward.