New York Casino License Spotlight Turns to Yonkers and Queens

The committee’s recommendation will determine if this project also goes forward. The last public meeting about the casino ended early because people in favor of and against the casino clashed.

The developers have promised to create 23,000 jobs, of which 6,700 will be permanent, and commit $1 billion to community benefits. They also plan transit upgrades. However, some people are worried about issues like gambling addiction and environmental impact.

Both MGM and Resorts World, already functioning as racinos, are ideally positioned to upgrade to full casino operations swiftly if granted licenses. That’s why many people consider both projects to be frontrunners.

Manhattan Casino Rejections Set the Stage

Since casino plans in Manhattan were recently rejected, both projects (MGM and Metropolitan Park) are now seen as strong contenders to attain one of three available casino licenses.

The stage was set when the New York City Community Advisory Committee rejected both major Manhattan casino proposals. The Caesars Palace Times Square and Avenir at Hudson Yards plans have been effectively removed from the competition for one of the three downstate casino licenses set to be awarded later this year.

This decision followed considerable opposition from local Broadway interests, residents, and business owners concerned about potential impacts on the area’s character and economic landscape.

Other projects in contention include:

• Freedom Plaza
• Resorts World
• Coney Island (The Coney)
• Bally’s (Ferry Point)

The rejections have left Manhattan without a viable proposal in this licensing cycle, shifting attention to potential sites in other boroughs and Yonkers.

Yonkers MGM Empire City Gaining Strong Support

The Yonkers MGM Empire City expansion has generated both significant local support and notable concerns within the community. Many local officials, unions, and business leaders strongly support the MGM Empire City project because they expect it to create about 2,000 permanent jobs and 6,500 construction jobs, and other benefits, including:

• Excitement about the potential increase in local tax revenue, which could mean more money for Yonkers schools. Some estimates suggest that funding for schools could jump from $20 million to $34 million a year, thanks to the casino.
• The project plans to include a new 5,000-seat entertainment venue, several destination restaurants, and a parking garage. These additions are expected to be a significant boost for Yonkers’ hospitality and retail industries.
• MGM has promised to sign a Community Benefit Agreement with Yonkers, which includes investing around $100 million in projects to address any negative impacts and committing to local hiring.

They’ve also agreed to pay fair wages to construction workers.

The MGM Empire City expansion proposal currently enjoys broad, though not unanimous, community support, strengthened by labor, government, and business endorsements as well as the formal Community Benefit Agreement.

Concerns with MGM’s Plan

While the project has received enthusiastic backing from local officials, unions, and some community members, there remains some nuanced opposition.

Concerns focus on potential traffic increases and impacts on the neighborhood. The upcoming CAC vote, requiring a two-thirds majority, is crucial for the proposal’s advancement to the New York State Gaming Commission’s review.

Not everyone is happy with the MGM Empire City project. Some people are worried about how the neighborhood will be affected and whether the financial benefits will be shared fairly.

Additional concerns include:

• Residents and some local officials are concerned about potential traffic jams, increased crime, higher demand for emergency services, and more noise.
• Questions remain about whether Yonkers is receiving a fair amount of money for its schools from state taxes linked to the casino, especially since the city still struggles with school budget issues.
• Community members have pointed out infrastructure problems like flooding and sewer capacity, and they want to ensure any improvements made because of the casino will also benefit nearby areas, not just the casino itself.
• Even among union members and residents, there are mixed feelings. A small group worries that the benefits promised by the expansion might not be felt equally across all neighborhoods in Yonkers and could make life harder if not managed well.

Due to these concerns, there’s ongoing monitoring and efforts to address any problems as the project moves forward.

What Are the Next Steps for the MGM Casino Expansion in Yonkers?

With Manhattan’s casino aspirations thwarted, the focus is squarely on Yonkers and Queens. Both MGM and Resorts World are already functioning as racinos, but Metropolitan Park is not out of the running.

A favorable vote could solidify any one of the projects as a leading contender for one of the remaining licenses, potentially reshaping the local gaming landscape. The decision on September 25 will be pivotal in determining the trajectory of casino expansion in the downstate New York area. Stay tuned.