The story so far:
Two downstate casino vote proposals came to a vote today. One passed, the other did not.
This morning, a community advisory committee voted to approve the Bally’s casino in the Throgg’s Neck area of the Bronx. The Bally’s team has proposed a $4 billion complex on a city-owned golf course. In addition to a casino, the plan would also add a 500-room hotel and 2,000-seat entertainment complex. New York residents can invest in the project for equity, and the application team has promised $27.5 million in community benefits.
In the lead-up to the vote, it was unclear where the CAC would land. In July, the City Council voted against the needed zoning changes to make the plan work, but Mayor Eric Adams kept the dream alive with a veto.
Ultimately, the Bally’s proposal passed in a five-to-one vote. The next hurdle is approval from the state gaming commission.
The second proposal for a new development on Coney Island was voted down in a four-to-two vote. Thor Equities, Saratoga Casinos and the Chickasaw Nation were behind the plan.
The team proposed a $3.4 billion casino called the Coney, on a beachfront site with a 500-room hotel, 20 restaurants and an entertainment venue. The plan faced opposition from the Luna Park amusement park.
There are three licenses to be awarded in total by the state board. Two proposals have already made it past the committee stage, both of which already operate racetracks with machine gambling: MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica.
Three proposals have been eliminated: A Soloviev plan for Midtown East, a Silverstein project for Hell’s Kitchen, and an SL Green proposal for Times Square.
The only remaining proposal, a design for the parking lot next to Citi Field from Mets owner Steve Cohen, is up for a vote tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Kew Gardens.
This is a developing story, check back here for more updates.