NYC Council approves use of parkland for Bally’s casino project
The council voted to allow state lawmakers to pass a bill that would allow parkland to be used for a casino at Ferry Point Park.
US.- New York City Council has approved a rezoning measure for Bally’s Corporation’s proposal to build a casino in the Bronx. The City Council voted 32-12, with seven abstentions, to adopt a home-rule resolution that would allow state lawmakers to pass a bill to recategorise parkland for a casino at Ferry Point Park.
Late intervention by mayor Eric Adams is said to have helped the proposal.
The casino complex would include a 500,000-square-foot gaming floor, a 500-room hotel with a spa and meeting space, shops, a 2,000-seat event centre, and two parking garages with capacity for up to 4,660 vehicles.
Bally’s will first need to win one of the three downstate New York casino licences that are up for grabs. Originally, there were 11 known contenders. However, Hudson’s Bay Co., which had proposed a casino at the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue retail store in Manhattan, pulled its proposal, followed by Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts. The state Gaming Commission is expected to make licence decisions by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, the New York Senate has approved Bill S7121A, which would authorise the redesignation of land in Queens for New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock’s proposed $8bn casino resort. The bill would redesignate 50 acres of parking space around the Queens baseball stadium from parkland to commercial.
The proposal passed the Senate in a 54-5 vote after the State Assembly approved it 138-7 last week. bill. It will now go to governor Kathy Hochul for her signature or veto. The bill was introduced by state senator John Liu.
