Soloviev, Mohegan Tribe’s Midtown Casino Proposal Rejected

A casino is no longer in Manhattan’s future.

The gaming proposal from Soloviev Group, which would have built a casino on a vacant lot near the United Nations building, was rejected this morning in a four-to-two vote before a community advisory committee.

Soloviev’s plan is the third to be rejected by a CAC over the course of one week. The result eliminates all proposals for a casino located in Manhattan. Five proposals remain, with three licenses available from the state.

The four members of the committee who voted against the proposal were Sandra McKee, appointed by State Senator Kristen Gonzalez; Reshma Patel, appointed by Assembly member Harvey Epstein; Celeste Royo, appointed by Borough President Mark Levine; and Jasmine Narula, appointed by Council member Keith Powers.

The two who voted for the proposal were Jennifer Sta. Ines, appointed by Mayor Eric Adams and Nichols Silbersack, appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

In a joint statement, the four members who voted against the plan — Levine, Powers, Gonzalez and Epstein — said they had heard extensive concerns from residents about congestion, public safety and quality of life.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Soloviev Group to accomplish the goal of activating this site for permanent affordable housing, green space, good-paying jobs, and more,” they said.

Soloviev’s proposal, called “Freedom Plaza,” would have been an $11 billion development, the most expensive of all the plans. The partnership with the Mohegan Tribe and Banyan Group aimed to build a below-grade casino at 686 First Avenue, with 1,049 housing units and green space. It also offered equity options for city residents.

The Freedom Plaza proposal failed despite significant tailwinds in recent days. On Friday, Mayor Eric Adams released a report that showed the Soloviev plan would create more jobs than any other casino plan. And on Saturday, the partnership announced an amendment that all housing units would be permanently affordable, increasing the number of affordable units by 400.

“We are proud of our partnership with Mohegan and the vision that informed this project that would have revitalized Midtown East and delivered for workers, residents, and organizations across this city,” Soloviev Group CEO Michael Hershman said in a statement. “Manhattan is the undisputed capital of the world, and it deserved a fully integrated resort that would have attracted visitors while serving the needs of its community.”

Residents campaigning against the casino plan said they were grateful for the vote, and had been rallying against the proposal for more than a year.

“We have not deployed the kind of money and muscle power that the promoters had,” said Sulakshana Jain, who was present at the meeting. “This is a very beautiful and prestigious neighborhood. It’s historic.”

Tania Arias said she went building by building in the neighborhood trying to rally support to block the gaming bid.

“This would would have been half a block from the U.N., looked at as the center of diplomacy,” Arias said. “The last thing we needed was a casino in our midst.”

The CACs, one for each proposal, are tasked with determining if there is public support for a casino proposal. Those that are approved at this stage will go before the state gaming commission.

After three rejections over the last week, five proposals remain: Mets owner Steve Cohen’s project at Citi Field, Thor Equities’ proposed Coney Island development, one from Bally’s in the Throgg’s Neck area of the Bronx, Genting’s proposed casino in Jamaica, Queens and a site in Yonkers from MGM.

The CACs must vote before Sept 30.