Bronx casino plan gets approval from advisory panel, while Coney Island proposal falls short
A Bronx casino proposal would go in the Ferry Point Park section near the Whitestone Bridge. Credit: Linda Rosier
A community panel voted Monday in favor of a proposed casino in the Bronx, granting it the necessary approval to stay in the competition for one of three licenses the state will award in December.
But a separate local review board voted down a Coney Island casino proposal, putting an end to developers' hopes to bring gambling to the entertainment venue in Brooklyn.
The outcomes mean that, so far, just three of seven real estate and gambling partnerships have survived an up-or-down vote by local screening committees. The eighth, and final, bidder goes before a similar panel in Queens on Tuesday.
Winning local approval — through a designated "Community Advisory Committee" — is necessary for the projects to be considered by the state Gaming Facility Location Board and the full Gaming Commission in December.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- A community panel voted Monday in favor of a proposed casino in the Bronx, keeping it in the running for one of three licenses the state will award in December, while a separate panel turned down a Coney Island casino plan.
- The outcomes mean that, so far, just three of seven real estate and gambling partnerships have survived an up-or-down vote by local screening committees. The eighth, and final, bidder goes before a similar panel in Queens on Tuesday.
- The proposal by Bally’s for a full casino in the Ferry Point Park section of the Bronx joins plans for Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct Racetrack as finalists for a license.
On Monday morning, the Bronx advisory panel voted 5-1 to advance a proposal by Bally’s for a full casino in the Ferry Point Park section near the Whitestone Bridge. It now joins proposals for Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct Racetrack as finalists for a license.
"This is a tremendous project that will bring a resort that will attract tens of thousands of guests every day," said Lisa Sorin, a panelist who was appointed by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.
The lone opponent, City Council appointee Danielle Volpe, countered: "This will add traffic, crime and instability to our community."
If Bally's wins a full license, it could be lucrative for President Donald Trump. The site is a golf course formerly owned by the Trump Organization. Bally's paid it $60 million for the lease rights to the site and will fork over another $115 million to the Trump Organization if it wins a casino license.
Monday afternoon in Brooklyn, the local screening panel voted 4-2 against a casino proposed by developer Thor Equities and partners. Panelists voiced opposition to changing the character of the Coney Island waterfront.
"It really is an irreplaceable treasure, and I hope we continue to recognize what a unique and value place Coney Island is," panelist Marissa Solomon said, adding that she wants it to "remain what it always should be: The people's playground."
A week earlier, panels quashed three separate proposals in Manhattan: projects eyed for Times Square, Hell's Kitchen and the East Side.
