Coney Island casino proposal rejected, Bally’s Bronx bid approved
A community advisory committee voted against the Coney Island Casino proposal and in favor of the Bally’s project in the Bronx – it still requires state approval.
Key Points
- The Coney Community Advisory Committee voted not to move forward with plans to build a casino on the boardwalk by 4-2
- A Bronx Community Advisory Committee did assent to move forward with Bally’s plans in the Bronx by 5-1
- Final decisions by the State should arrive in December
The battle to claim one of the three casino licenses due to be handed out in New York State is hotting up, with the Bally’s bid being advanced and the Coney Island proposal being thrown out.
Advisory committees in the two locations met on September 29 to vote on the plans based on the arguments, for and against, that have been made by each respective community and the developers themselves.
In Coney Island, the assembled authority representatives voted against the idea of building a casino on the boardwalk and the plan will now go no further – the vote yielded four votes against and two for the proposal.
It was hoped by proponents of the development that the casino would turn the area into a year-round destination rather than just a summer destination – there was also the belief that it could have a positive impact on the community’s unemployment problem.
On the other hand, community hearings raised concerns about the casino bringing more crime to the area, as well as increased traffic congestion.
The vote on the Bally’s casino and resort in the Bronx fared more successfully and will now advance to the next stage, when a State Commission will make a final decision in December.
The vote in that case was five in favour and one against – a two-thirds positive vote was required to advance.
This is despite Bally’s proposal nearly being halted by the New York City Council in July.
Good to know: Caesars plan to build a casino in Times Square was rejected recently by a state-commissioned committee after promising to bring a multiplicity of improvements to the surrounding area
Bally’s Bronx has promised a lot in terms of financial benefit to the local area – the proposal website suggests the project will create: “15,000 union construction jobs and 4,000 permanent union jobs above prevailing wage.”
The operator has calculated that overall, there will be $625m worth of benefits to the community, claims that will be further scrutinised by the State Commission.
Other plans for casinos in New York that have so far passed the advisory committee stage include the MGM Empire City project in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.
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