Summary
- Board members voted against the casino project with a resolution rejecting the plan.
- Traffic, crime, and mental health issues are among concerns.
- A consortium is pushing the project for one of the downstate casino licenses.
With New York set to offer three full casino licenses, companies are coming out of the woodwork with plans to launch gaming facilities. One such plan involves Coney Island and local officials are not on board. Community Board 13 recently held a meeting where a resolution was passed to reject the plan.
Local Officials Are Not Supportive
The board members met and discussed the casino plan, deciding with a vote of 23 to eight that the idea was not a good one. Certain officials are concerned that the casino would create an Atlantic City environment and would harm an already struggling population when it comes to economics.
Members of the board serve the region based on the borough in which they live. The individuals are appointed by the elected officials of the state who will decide if a casino should be added to Coney Island.
The board says that the public seems to be overwhelmingly against the project. Many worry about an increase in traffic, criminal activity, and mental health issues. One official pointed out that traffic is already an issue, and they don’t want more traffic to cause any additional problems.
Details of the Coney Island Project and Resolution
The Coney Island plan is the brainchild of a consortium that hopes to secure a gaming license. The group includes Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, Legends and the Chickasaw Nation. The project has already faced negative feedback when a meeting was held by the Community Board in April. The community forum saw many people come out against the plan.
The resolution voted on by the Board is five pages long and includes an issue with the consortium wanting a Citi Bike docking station. The board is opposed to the station due to traffic concerns. The resolution also discusses the ten new residential complexes that are part of the plan. The properties would house 5,000 people and there would be minimal parking available.
The board also noted that the area already has a high crime rate, and a casino would exacerbate the issue. Members also feel that casinos are addiction-driven and will destroy the quality of life in the area as well as families. Opponents also feel that local businesses will not benefit as gamblers will stay inside instead of venturing out to other venues in the area.
About the Author
