City of Revere Settles Wonderland Eminent Domain Case for $16.5 Million, Clearing Path for New High School
September 16, 2026
REVERE, MA – The City of Revere today announced the settlement of the eminent domain litigation arising from the City’s taking of the former Wonderland Greyhound Park. The case, which had been pending in Suffolk Superior Court for over three years, settled on the eve of trial. The City originally paid $29 million for the property in November 2022. Following litigation, the City will pay Wonderland’s former owner an additional $16.5 million for the property, resolving the former owner’s claim that they were owed $117 million, and bringing the City’s total cost for the property to $45.5 million.
The negotiated settlement amount, less than 40% of the former owner’s demand, reflects the strength of the City’s litigation position throughout the case. Represented by Foley Hoag LLP and the Law Offices of John S. Leonard LLC, the City prevailed on several key pre-trial motions that substantially narrowed the owner’s case heading into trial. The settlement will be paid from funds budgeted and available for the City’s high school construction project.
“This is a strong result for the taxpayers of Revere,” said Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. “We were confident in our case, but no responsible city government should gamble tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on the unpredictability of a jury verdict when a fair resolution is on the table. This settlement both protects our taxpayers and allows us to move forward with the ongoing construction of the new Revere High School. That is what this has always been about: giving our kids the school they deserve.”
The favorable settlement also allowed the City to avoid the substantial expense of a multi-week jury trial, including attorney fees, expert witness costs, and the diversion of city resources. With the litigation behind it, the City can devote its full attention to construction at the Wonderland site. The new Revere High School will serve as a cornerstone investment in the city’s future, providing modern educational facilities for generations of Revere students.
About the City of Revere. The City of Revere is a vibrant, diverse community of approximately 65,000 residents just minutes north of Boston. Led by Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. and the Revere City Council, the City is committed to responsible governance, fiscal stewardship, and strategic investment in the infrastructure, schools, and public services that support a thriving community. Learn more at revere.org.
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