A casino is officially not in the cards for Manhattan after a controversial proposal to build a towering entertainment complex a stone’s throw from the United Nations was scrapped by a committee vote on Monday.
The local Community Advisory Committee, tasked with deciding whether to advance the “Freedom Plaza” application for consideration by the state, rejected the bid in a 4-2 vote.Two other proposed sites in Manhattan were voted down last week.
That leaves five casino projects around the New York City area in the running to secure one of up to three lucrative casino licenses expected to be handed out by the state.
The $11.1 billion pitch from entertainment behemoth Mohegan and the Soloviev Group in Midtown East would have included building several towers along the East River with over a thousand apartments, 1,250 hotel rooms, five acres of green space and “Museum of Freedom and Democracy” in addition to the casino.
But its proximity to the United Nations — which is currently hosting its annual General Assembly — plus long-standing community opposition ultimately doomed the project.
Monday’s decision was applauded by the local elected officials represented on the CAC who voted down Freedom Plaza: Borough President Mark Levine, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assemblymember Harvey Epstein and City Councilmember Keith Powers.
“Our neighbors on the East Side of Manhattan have communicated to us, and to the CAC, through hours of public hearings, significant concerns regarding increased congestion, public safety, and the quality of life concerns this project would introduce into our community,” they said in a joint statement. “For this reason, we support the CAC’s decision today to not advance the casino proposal at Freedom Plaza.”
Soloviev Group CEO Michael Hershman said the team had been “humbled” by the support it received along the way.
“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,” he said in a press release. “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.”
The CAC vote was the culmination of years of heated campaigning and countless community meetings. It comes less than a week after a pair of committees nixed the only other Manhattan casino proposals in Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen.
Only applicants approved by their respective CACs will advance for consideration by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board.
With Manhattan off the table, the focus now shifts to the outer boroughs.
Two existing “racinos,” MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens, are seen as frontunners in the license contest. Both have their committee votes scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile The Coney, Brooklyn’s sole casino contender, appears to be in trouble as several CAC members announced their opposition Monday ahead of an as-yet unscheduled final vote.
That leaves Queens’ Metropolitan Park, Mets owner Steve Cohen’s pet project, and Bally’s in the Bronx as the remaining wildcards.
Mayor Adams said he thinks the projects should have been pushed forward for state review.
“Casinos can bring jobs. It can bring stability, tourism,” he said in a television interview ahead of Monday’s vote. “So, I was surprised at some of the negative votes. Let the final process make the decision. We should not be stopping them at this local level.”
The remaining CAC votes will take place by Sept. 30 ahead of a final state decision by Dec. 1. Licenses will be issued by the end of the year.
— With information from the Associated Press
