New York City Council approves rezoning for Coney Island casino proposal
Council members have passed the measure by a 36-11 vote.
US.- The New York City Council has approved a rezoning proposal that would allow the construction of the Coney Island casino. Council members passed the measure by a 36-11 vote, with four members abstaining.
The approval grants developers permission to demap part of Bowery Street and purchase air rights above above existing streets and buildings to allow three high-rise towers and two pedestrian bridges.
The Coney is one of eight projects competing for up to three New York casino licences. Thor Equities would develop the property, while Saratoga Casino Holdings and the Chickasaw Nation would run casino operations and Legends would be the development and entertainment partner.
The group said a casino would be a boon to the peninsula’s economy, which relies heavily on summer tourist traffic. They say the project would involve an investment of more than $3bn of private funds and would create 2,500 construction jobs and “thousands” of permanent jobs.
Melissa Gliatta, COO of Thor Equities, said in a statement: “Today’s vote continues to show that the more people learn about our project and the benefits it will bring, the more they like it. We now move one step closer to fulfilling a promise of economic transformation for Coney Island that includes the creation of thousands of jobs and a $200 million locally led community trust fund.”
The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to select winning projects by December 1.
