There are just four months to go before New York picks three development teams for a downstate casino. The state has a Dec. 1 deadline for choosing winners and then plans to hand out licenses by the end of the year. With New York City real estate players involved in five of the eight proposals, huge housing and economic development projects lie in the balance. A specially created state board will select the victors, but the teams have spent July seeking approval from locals, through so-called Community Advisory Committees (CACs) that have to vote yay or nay by Sept. 30.
Here are the projects pitched by each developer and the latest rundown of their status; here’s even more background from about the time the proposals were due.
SL Green & Caesars Entertainment – Times Square
What’s proposed: Caesars Palace Times Square, a $4B casino at 1515 Broadway with 992-key hotel, restaurants and an entertainment venue run by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
The odds: Faces opposition from Sen. Liz Krueger and possibly City Council member Erik Bottcher
The latest: CAC organizational meeting held on July 23.
Soloviev Group & Mohegan – Midtown East, near the U.N.
What’s proposed: $11B Freedom Plaza casino, with below-grade casino, 1,049 housing units (about half affordable) and green space
The odds: Lacks support from Assembly member Harvey Epstein; CEO Michael Hershman calls the team the underdogs
The latest: CAC organizational meeting held on July 17.
Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming & Greenwood Gaming – West Side
What’s proposed: $7B casino called the Avenir, at West 41st Street and 11th Avenue with a 1,000-key hotel, small entertainment venue and 2,000 housing units pledged through office conversions
The odds: Faces opposition from Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, skeptical borough president and council member (as other Manhattan proposals)
The latest: CAC organizational meeting held on July 16.
Steve Cohen & Hard Rock International – Flushing, Queens
What’s proposed: $8B complex next to Citi Field called Metropolitan Park, 450 affordable housing units (a few miles away), series of pedestrian and bike paths called Flushing Skypark, a hotel and a music venue.
The odds: Necessary legislation approved, supported by Borough President Donovan Richards
The latest: CAC organizational meeting is scheduled for today, Aug. 4
Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino & Chickasaw Nation – Coney Island, Brooklyn
What’s proposed: $3.4B casino called the Coney, on beachfront site with 500-key hotel, 20 restaurants and a 25,000-square-foot entertainment venue.
The odds: Secured necessary zoning approvals, faces opposition from Luna Park
The latest: At the CAC organizational meeting held on July 30, some residents seemed skeptical about what seemed a low number of jobs pledged to the neighborhoods, according to BK Reader.
Bally’s – Throggs Neck, Bronx
What’s proposed: $4B complex on city-owned golf course, with 500-room hotel and 2,000-seat entertainment facility. Residents can invest in the project with just $250; pr 10M annual community benefits
The odds: The City Council voted against needed zoning changes, but Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the decision.
The latest: The CAC organizational meeting isn’t yet scheduled. The City Council would need to have two thirds of its members vote no to override the mayor’s veto.
Genting – Jamaica, Queens
What’s proposed: $5.5B expansion of current Resorts World facility with more gaming space, 2,000 hotel rooms, plus an entertainment center and commitment to invest in 50,000 workforce housing units citywide
The odds: Something of an incumbent, has strong support from Queens Borough President, City Council Speaker
The latest: CAC organizational meeting held on July 21.
MGM Resorts – Yonkers, Westchester County
What’s proposed: $2.3B expansion of current facility into Empire City Casino with a 5000-seat entertainment venue and new restaurants, plus promised infrastructure investments
The odds: Another being treated like an incumbent; Yonkers City Council approved zoning changes and mayor is supportive
The latest: CAC organizational meeting held on July 24.
