Some Issues Facing New York City Casino Plans
The quest to win a New York City casino license continues to play out with several bidders touting their plans. Recent reports have also noted that a few of the proposals face some serious obstacles that could curtail some of those plans. Here’s a look at a few of the casino plans and the issues surrounding them. Currently, NY online bettingNew York Sports Betting is legal and NY online casinos may be a possibility in near future.
Hudson Yards Plan
New York City-based real estate development firm Related Companies proposes a major development for a casino and more at the undeveloped Western Rail Yards at Hudson Yards. Plans call for a $12 billion project with three skyscrapers – one for office space, one for apartment housing, and one for a 1,750-room hotel. The development would include 2.7 million square feet of gaming and resort space, conference center, retail outlets, restaurants, and more.
However, reaching the finish line may not only involve Empire State regulators selecting the plan, but also overcoming zoning hurdles. The area saw a zoning change in 2009 allowing six buildings to be built on the site.
The casino plan would shift that to three, but Related’s proposal would include taller and denser buildings than originally planned. Whether a zoning change would face opposition from the local community remains to be seen.
“It’s unclear how much of a barrier the rezoning would be,” The Real Deal notes. “But Related can take solace in the fact that it isn’t the only developer facing challenges beyond the state’s approval process.”
Nassau Coliseum
The Sands Corporation’s plans in Nassau County is another one of those facing obstacles. The gaming company, which recently purchased the Dallas Mavericks, hopes to build a $5 billion gaming venue that includes a casino, hotel, entertainment venue, and housing on the site of Nassau Coliseum.
County officials have already given the go-ahead for a 99-year lease for Sands to develop the 72-acre site. But those plans suffered a legal setback last week when New York State Supreme Court Justice Sarika Kapoor reaffirmed her previous ruling nullifying that agreement.
Kapoor ruled that county efforts at the lease transfer violated state open meeting requirements and environmental review processes. A group called “Say NO to the Casino” believes officials disregarded Kapoor’s original ruling and doesn’t believe the entire process has been above board.
“Now, we want answers,” the group noted in a statement. “The residents of Nassau County have a right to know why County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the County Legislature, and LVS (Las Vegas Sands) would continue to flagrantly ignore Judge Kapoor’s November ruling, proceed with the process as if LVS retained land control, and push the town of Hempstead to begin the SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) process.”
The controversy may stem from opposition to the plan by nearby Hofstra University. The school was behind the original suit against the county. Hofstra and casino supporters have been in a legal back and forth regarding the issue.
The county recently subpoenaed university president Susan Poser to testify in front of the Nassau legislature, and also all communications between the university and the team behind the New York Mets-Hard Rock casino bid. Some local officials believe Hofstrhave secretly supports that plan, but university officials have denied that.
“No evidence was offered at the press conference of such communication or of any improper conduct by Hofstra University, yet great effort was taken to malign Hofstra University and announce the issuance of subpoenas to it,” university attorneys noted.
Bally’s Bronx Plans, Mets Citi Field Proposal
Another casino plan comes from the Bally’s gaming corporation. The company acquired the operations of a city-owned golf course in the Bronx last year and now hopes to build a casino on a 50-acre parking area at the site.
However, city and state officials would need to approve any changes in how the land is used. That possibility took a bit of a hit in November when Republican Kristy Marmorato, a vocal opponent of the casino, won a seat on the city council.
A proposal from Mets owner Steve Cohen would partner with Hard Rock on an $8 billion casino complex on the parking lot and area adjacent to Citi Field in Queens. That plan faces the same dilemma as the Bronx proposal, needing zoning changes approved by state and local officials.
State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D) has yet to announce her decision on whether to support the Queens casino and necessary zoning changes but recently hinted at reaching a conclusion soon.
“This is a really important decision, and I do think that still not enough community members know about either proposal, or that there is this possibility of a casino coming and our community does deserve to know,” Ramos said in February at a town hall. “So I’m going to continue trying to inform and educate the public about land use and I hope to come up with a decision by the end of session.”
