Coney Island residents are mulling whether or not supporting a $3 billion on line casino resort proposed for the Brooklyn seashore city is in the neighborhood’s greatest pursuits. However a strong group of government-appointed members says the event would diminish the standard of life within the neighborhood greatest identified for Nathan’s Sizzling Canine’ annual scorching canine consuming contest, the Marvel Wheel Ferris wheel, and the Cyclone curler coaster.
The native Neighborhood Board representing Coney Island in Brooklyn has opposed a proposed $3 billion on line casino resort. The Coney Island on line casino undertaking is one among 9 proposed casinos for New York’s downstate area. (Picture: Shutterstock)
Neighborhood Board 13 is one among 59 neighborhood boards in New York Metropolis. Every native board includes unsalaried members who borough presidents appoint in session with borough council members. Neighborhood board members should reside and/or work in the neighborhood they symbolize. Neighborhood boards serve borough districts in advisory roles and most frequently seek the advice of on land use and zoning issues.
Coney Island’s Neighborhood Board 13 not too long ago weighed in on the proposed $3 billion on line casino, a resort idea pitched by a consortium led by New York actual property big Thor Equities. That group consists of Saratoga On line casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation, and Legends Hospitality.
Thor’s on line casino consortium desires to assemble a gaming resort known as “The Coney” at Surf and Stillwell avenues on roughly 5 acres of land that Thor owns. However throughout a gathering final week, Neighborhood Board 13 members voted on a decision that opposes the on line casino.
We’re already drowning in site visitors half of the 12 months. Now, you need to deliver extra site visitors in. We don’t need it,” mentioned CB13 Chair Lucy Mujica Diaz.
The decision handed by a vote of 23-8.
Neighborhood Opposition
The board’s official nonbinding decision cited typical issues about legalizing on line casino playing, together with the potential for elevated crime and different societal drains.
The Neighborhood Board’s stance has no authorized bearing, nor can it singlehandedly halt the on line casino. However at the very least one Brooklyn counselor shares CB13’s opinion {that a} on line casino is greatest suited elsewhere.
“I utterly agree with the overwhelming opposition from the neighborhood in Coney Island,” commented Brooklyn Councilman Ari Kagan, who represents Coney Island. “I hear this isn’t simply in Coney Island however throughout southern Brooklyn. The overwhelming majority of individuals I speak to are in opposition to the on line casino.”
Neighborhood Assist
The on line casino builders say the CB13 decision is untimely. Officers with the consortium say they’ve canvassed the Coney Island neighborhood and have already garnered greater than 3,300 signatures supporting the undertaking.
New Yorkers know a superb deal once they see one, and that’s why after going door to door and enterprise to enterprise, we’ve obtained greater than 3,300 signatures from the neighborhood in help of the gaming and leisure venue,” an announcement from the consortium learn. “A gaming and leisure venue on Coney Island goes to deliver year-round jobs, create financial alternatives, enhance public security, assist small companies, and revitalize an iconic neighborhood trying to construct a brighter future.”
The consortium added, “Any judgments about this undertaking … earlier than the total particulars and neighborhood advantages settlement are finalized is untimely, shortsighted, and leaves the neighborhood combating the exact same points round unemployment, infrastructure, and public security that it presently bemoans.”
Loads of Opponents
New York’s 2013 business gaming legislation licensed 4 upstate casinos and three downstate, outlined as New York Metropolis, Lengthy Island, and the Decrease Hudson Valley. The 2013 legislation offered a 10-year delay for the state to subject the downstate licenses to provide the 4 upstate properties time to construct their buyer bases and lure downstate residents north.
Quite a few builders are betting massive on securing one of many three coveted downstate licenses. However just one concession is taken into account up for grabs, as MGM Resorts’ Empire Metropolis On line casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York Metropolis in Queens — presently racinos that may solely function digital gaming tables and video lottery terminals — are heavy favorites for 2 of the permits.
With only one license presumably accessible, the aggressive bidding is intense for the allow, with a one-time $500 million payment.
Together with Coney Island, Caesars Leisure has proposed a on line casino in Occasions Sq.. Mets proprietor Steve Cohen works with Laborious Rock for a on line casino pitch at his Citi Subject MLB ballpark. Fellow billionaire Stephen Ross desires to construct an built-in on line casino advanced at his Hudson Yards in Manhattan. Las Vegas Sands is searching for a on line casino license to construct a resort vacation spot on the Nassau Hub.
Mohegan and Stefan Soloviev are additionally readying a Manhattan on line casino presentation on the East Facet simply south of the United Nations Headquarters. And the Bally’s Corp. is partnered with The Trump Group for a on line casino bid on the latter’s Trump Golf Hyperlinks at Ferry Level within the Bronx.
