Downstate New York is on the brink of a transformative wave with three new casino facilities potentially on the horizon. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has announced a critical new deadline for the bids, set for June 27, 2025. However, there’s a twist in the tale. A piece of legislation, S9673A, awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature, promises to fast-track this timeline, requiring bidders to submit their proposals by the end of summer 2024.
Senator Joe Addabbo drafted the bill, which cleared both the house and senate earlier in June. While the aspirations to accelerate the process are clear, the facility location board has expressed reservations. The board’s members have highlighted that bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved—a meticulous process involving environmental impact studies and zoning changes. This rigorous protocol aims to ensure that bids are comprehensive and viable, aligning with the community's best interests and regulatory standards.
Voicing Concerns
“Politicians may want a quicker deadline, but that would be impractical,” stated Vicki Been, capturing the essence of the facility location board’s concerns. The ambitious timeline proposed by the bill puts considerable pressure on the procedural aspects. Both the Bally’s Bronx proposal and Steve Cohen’s Queens plan are currently undergoing necessary rezoning from their parkland designations to accommodate the casino facilities. This critical stage must be completed before any bid can move forward.
The board emphasized, “Because bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved, the board views the current deadline as unreasonable.” This statement underscores the necessity to adhere to procedural diligence, ensuring that each proposal meets the set requirements before progressing.
Array of Proposals
In the race to reshape New York's entertainment and economic landscape, eleven bidders are vying for these lucrative casino licenses in prime locations ranging from Times Square to Brooklyn. The proposals extend beyond mere casino facilities; they encompass resorts, housing units, and neighborhood improvements, hinting at a holistic development vision. The mix of commercial titans and tribal operators accentuates the competitive edge.
- Avenir: Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming in Manhattan
- Bally’s Links at Ferry Point: Bally’s Corporation in The Bronx
- Caesars Palace Times Square: Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Roc Nation in Manhattan
- Coney Project: Thor Equities, Legends Entertainment, the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Holdings in Brooklyn
- Freedom Plaza: Soloviev Group and Mohegan Gaming in Manhattan
- Metropolitan Park: Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International in Queens
- MGM Empire City: MGM Resorts International in Yonkers
- Resorts World New York City: Genting Group in Queens
- Sands New York: Las Vegas Sands in Nassau County, Long Island
- Saks Fifth Avenue: Hudson’s Bay Company, with the operator to be determined, in Manhattan
- Wynn New York City: Related Companies, Oxford Properties Group, and Wynn Resorts in Manhattan
Each proposal brings a unique vision. Whether it's the classic allure of Caesars Palace in Times Square or a transformative project like Saks Fifth Avenue's venture in Manhattan, the potential for significant economic and cultural enhancement is palpable. The board recognized the challenge during their Thursday meeting, aware that the legislative stipulations might not entirely align with their projected timeline.
Looming Deadline
Despite these challenges, the board exudes optimism. The message remains clear: obtaining bids by the new deadline of June 2025 should not deter the ultimate goal of issuing licenses by the end of that year. “The hope would be that our reasoning will be helpful to the governor,” Vicki Been optimistically remarked. This highlights a collaborative spirit, aiming for a consensus that aligns with both legislative expectations and the procedural integrity of the board.
As the anticipation builds, so does the scrutiny. The outcome of these deliberations could indeed reshape the entertainment and economic landscape of downstate New York, embedding gaming and broader development projects into some of the state's most iconic regions. The spirited competition among heavyweight bidders ensures that the stakes are high, promising an exciting journey ahead as New York stands on the cusp of this significant transformation.