The landscape of downstate New York is on the brink of transformation with the introduction of three new casino facilities. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board recently set a new bid deadline for these casinos, extending it to June 27, 2025. However, a conflicting bill with an August 31, 2024, deadline awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature and could potentially override the board’s decision.
Deadline Disparities Stir Controversy
Authored by Senator Joe Addabbo, the bill known as S9673A has already passed through both the house and senate as of early June. If Governor Hochul signs it, the legislation will mandate that bidders submit their proposals by the end of summer 2024. This accelerated timeline has raised concerns among the members of the facility location board, who view it as overly ambitious and potentially impractical.
“Politicians may want a quicker deadline, but that would be impractical,” noted Vicki Been. The board emphasized that bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved. This includes essential preconditions such as environmental impact studies and necessary zoning changes.
Rezoning and Environmental Hurdles
Two high-profile proposals, Bally’s Bronx and Steve Cohen’s Queens, currently face the challenge of rezoning from their parkland designations to accommodate casino facilities. These are just two among 11 bidders competing for prime locations ranging from Times Square to Brooklyn. Each proposal goes beyond just a casino, often including resorts, housing units, and neighborhood improvements, offering a blend of commercial and tribal operators.
The array of proposals includes:
- Avenir by Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming in Manhattan.
- Bally’s Links at Ferry Point by Bally’s Corporation in The Bronx.
- Caesars Palace Times Square by Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Roc Nation in Manhattan.
- Coney Project by Thor Equities, Legends Entertainment, the Chickasaw Nation, and Saratoga Casino Holdings in Brooklyn.
- Freedom Plaza by Soloviev Group and Mohegan Gaming in Manhattan.
- Metropolitan Park by Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International in Queens.
- MGM Empire City by MGM Resorts International in Yonkers.
- Resorts World New York City by Genting Group in Queens.
- Sands New York by Las Vegas Sands in Nassau County, Long Island.
- Saks Fifth Avenue by Hudson’s Bay Company with an operator to be determined in Manhattan.
- Wynn New York City by Related Companies, Oxford Properties Group, and Wynn Resorts in Manhattan.
Balancing Speed and Prudence
The facility location board acknowledged the potential conflict between their decision and the stipulations of S9673A during a recent meeting. Still, they remain optimistic that the new bid deadline will not interfere with the overarching goal of issuing licenses by the end of 2025.
“Because bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved, the board views the current deadline as unreasonable,” stated a representative from the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.
The stakes are high, as the outcome could significantly reshape the entertainment and economic landscape of downstate New York, bringing gaming and broader development projects to some of the state's most iconic areas. Vicki Been expressed, “The hope would be that our reasoning will be helpful to the governor.”
As the decision looms, the balance between speed and prudence will be critical in shaping the future of these proposed casino projects. The stakes of this decision are not just financial but also deeply tied to the urban development and community impact that these facilities promise.