The ambitious $11 billion Freedom Plaza casino project in Manhattan has been decisively rejected, as its proposal failed to garner enough support from its community advisory committee (CAC) on Monday. Despite major backing from prominent developers Soloviev Group and Mohegan Gaming, the bid was voted down in a swift 2-4 decision, just shy of the two-thirds majority needed to proceed further in the competitive New York casino race. This project was the largest in both scope and financial investment among the eight downstate proposals.
Located strategically along 1st Avenue near the United Nations headquarters, Freedom Plaza was designed to be a massive entertainment hub featuring a casino, two grand hotel towers, residential buildings, and even a Museum of Democracy. However, these grand plans were not enough to convince the CAC, resulting in Freedom Plaza joining the growing list of rejected Manhattan casino bids.
The voting breakdown was as follows: Nichols Silbersack and Jennifer Sta. Ines supported the proposal, while committee chair Sandra McKee and members Reshma Patel, Celeste Royo, and Jasmine Narula opposed it. With this outcome, only five of the original eight proposals remain in the running for the coveted three downstate casino licenses expected to be awarded by the end of the year.
Interestingly, this result mirrors the fate of the two other Manhattan proposals, each similarly rejected by a 2-4 vote. None of the projects received endorsements from their respective CAC chairs. The only consistent supporters across all three proposals were the members appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, highlighting a political split in opinions on the casino developments.
Despite the setbacks, each project had made late attempts to gain approval through various amendments. In the case of Freedom Plaza, significant amendments were proposed just days before the vote, including a major concession to dedicate 100% of the site’s housing units—totaling 1,080 units—as affordable housing. Had it been accepted, this concession would have marked a milestone in the applicant process. Yet, as with Caesars and Avenir, no amendments have been accepted by the CACs thus far.
The rejection of Freedom Plaza was met with a more subdued reaction compared to the fervent response following Avenir’s denial. Crain’s reporter Nick Garber noted there was applause and some tears of joy, but no significant outbursts from the developers themselves. Sandra McKee, reflecting on the process, expressed gratitude for the comprehensive review conducted by the community and applicants, yet stood firm on her decision to vote against the proposal.
With the Freedom Plaza bid now off the table, attention shifts to the remaining contenders in the New York casino race. These include Resorts World NYC in Queens, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Bally’s Bronx in the Bronx, The Coney in Brooklyn, and Metropolitan Park in Queens. Critical votes for MGM and Resorts World are scheduled to take place on Thursday, with MGM’s review set for 10 am and Resorts World’s at 3 pm.
The landscape of New York’s casino industry is poised for a significant transformation, contingent on these upcoming decisions. The stakes are high, with developers and city officials alike eyeing the potential economic benefits such developments could bring, from job creation to increased tourism. However, community concerns over issues such as congestion, local business impacts, and social disruptions continue to fuel opposition.
Yet, some voices within the community argue for the potential economic revitalization these developments might bring. The prospect of new jobs and increased tourist traffic is an alluring one for those advocating for growth and modernization. As the casino race heats up with the final decisions looming, all eyes remain on the local committees tasked with determining New York City’s future in the lucrative gambling industry.
Topics: New York · Land-Based Casinos
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