The landscape of downstate New York may soon undergo significant changes with the introduction of three new casino facilities. On the decision-making front, the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has made a crucial move by setting a new bid deadline of June 27, 2025. This decision, though pivotal, is facing potential disruption from an imminent piece of legislation.
Currently awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature, a bill with a deadline of August 31, 2024, could override the facility location board’s timeline. Authored by Senator Joe Addabbo, the bill S9673A has already passed through both the house and senate in early June. If signed, this legislation would compel bidders to submit their proposals by the end of summer 2024, pushing for a much more expedited process.
The board has expressed concerns about the ambitious nature of this timeline. Vicki Been, a member of the board, opined, “Politicians may want a quicker deadline, but that would be impractical.” The Board shares her sentiment, deeming the current deadline as "unreasonable” because “bids cannot be reviewed until all ‘entitlements and zoning’ are approved.”
Environmental impact studies and necessary zoning changes are prerequisites that must be met before any bid can be evaluated. This necessity is particularly highlighted by the Bally’s Bronx and Steve Cohen’s Queens proposals, both of which require rezoning from their existing parkland designations to accommodate casino facilities. Such preconditions add layers of complexity to an already intricate process.
High-Stakes Competition
There are 11 bidders vying to develop these casino facilities in various prime locations, ranging from Times Square to Brooklyn. Their proposals encompass more than just casinos—they also include resorts, housing units, and neighborhood improvements, aiming for a holistic development approach. The line-up of proposals features a mix of commercial and tribal operators, underlining the competitive and diverse nature of this bidding war.
Notable proposals include Avenir by Silverstein Properties and Greenwood Gaming in Manhattan, and the Coney Project by Thor Equities, Legends Entertainment, the Chickasaw Nation, and Saratoga Casino Holdings in Brooklyn. Additionally, Caesars Palace Times Square pairs Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Roc Nation in a bid to bring glitz to Manhattan's heart.
Other contenders such as the Steven Cohen and Hard Rock International's Metropolitan Park in Queens and the Genting Group’s Resorts World New York City in Queens add to the highly competitive field. The geographic spread of these proposals demonstrates a strategic intent to capitalize on different sections of the New York downstate region.
Awaiting Decisions
The facility location board acknowledges the potential clash between their set deadline and the stipulations of S9673A. During a recent meeting, they noted this friction, yet expressed optimism about achieving their objectives. As one board member mentioned, “The hope would be that our reasoning will be helpful to the governor.”
This scenario is more than a bureaucratic tussle; it represents a critical intersection where legislative and administrative timelines must align to ensure a smooth rollout. The board remains hopeful that obtaining bids by the new deadline will not hinder the overarching goal of issuing licenses by the end of 2025.
The reshaping of downstate New York's economic and entertainment landscape through these casino and broader development projects holds significant implications. With gaming facilities potentially situated in some of the state’s most iconic areas, the resultant transformation could redefine these locales, merging luxury, entertainment, and community growth.
Ultimately, whether the ambitious timeline dictated by Senator Addabbo's bill is sanctioned or not, all eyes will be on the outcome. Its resolution will determine how quickly the envisioned developments can begin to take shape, marking a new chapter for downstate New York’s socio-economic fabric.