The Coney Island casino plan appears to be cooked.
That's because four out of the six members of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) publicly announced their opposition, putting the project at risk.
The $3.4 billion plan to build a casino in Coney Island is likely to fail because the CAC decides the future of these projects. It would need four "Yes" votes to move forward. It appears that is not the case.
Let's look at what happened and why local and political leaders are against it, seemingly ending the project's chances.
Reasons Officials Oppose the Coney Island Casino
The Coney Island casino was envisioned as a mixed-use development featuring gaming facilities, a hotel, and entertainment venues.
Developers promised community investments and infrastructure projects, but failed to win over local leaders and residents, who viewed the plan as primarily profit-driven.
Council Member Justin Brannan, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton each revealed in separate statements that they intend to vote "no" on The Coney casino proposal. Additionally, Marissa Solomon, appointed to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) by Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny, confirmed to Brooklyn Paper that she will also vote against the project.
Here are some of the reasons each laid out:
Antonio Reynoso's Perspective
Reynoso criticized the casino proposal, labeling it as “deeply unimpressive and unresponsive.” He argued that the project fails to serve as a public good and does not promise improvements for residents in Coney Island, which heavily influenced his stance against the proposal.
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton's View
State Senator Scarcella-Spanton was notably moved by the strong public opposition voiced during hearings. She believes the community's message was loud and clear, leading her to firmly oppose the casino proposal.
Justin Brannan's Concerns
Councilmember Brannan emphasized that the casino would not solve the area's enduring issues like poverty or infrastructure inadequacies. He stressed that Coney Island needs different kinds of investments and that a casino is not among them.
Marissa Solomon's Focus on Preservation
CAC member Marissa Solomon is concerned about the cultural implications, stating that approving the project could compromise Coney Island’s historic character. She highlighted the importance of preserving one of New York's cultural “treasures.”
If these four members maintain their stated positions during the final CAC vote, which has yet to be scheduled, The Coney's bid will effectively come to an end. To move to the next stage, the project requires affirmative votes from four out of the six CAC members.
Community Opposition Also Played a Role
The community opposition to the plan was a factor. Some of the hearings and rallies even got heated at times.
Many people expressed concerns about the potential impacts of a casino in the area.
They range from insufficient local benefits and increased traffic to fears of rising rents and the loss of Coney Island's historical charm. Public hearings revealed the community's sentiments vividly, with roughly 140 speakers opposing the casino compared to 61 in favor. This overwhelming local opposition has played a pivotal role in the current situation.
This resistance mirrors the broader context of casino proposal rejections in New York City, where other high-profile projects have faced similar fates, leaving only a few contenders for the three available downstate casino licenses.
Only Four New York Casino Projects Are Left Standing
The last of the Manhattan casino proposals, Freedom Plaza, was rejected in a 4-2 vote by its Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Earlier, the other two Manhattan proposals, The Avenir and Caesar’s Palace Times Square, faced similar defeats with the same 4-2 vote outcome. In each case, only the members on the CACs appointed by Adams and Hochul supported the proposals.
Once a proposal gets approval from its CAC, it's then considered by the Gaming Facility Location Board, which can select up to three projects to recommend for final licensing by the New York State Gaming Commission.
If the vote comes to fruition, only four will be left standing, but for now, five out of the original eight bidders are still competing for the three available state casino licenses.
These remaining contenders include:
- MGM (Empire City)
- Resorts World
- Coney Island (The Coney)
- Bally’s (Ferry Point)
- Metropolitan Park (Citi Field)
Among them, MGM Empire City and Resorts World are seen as favorites because they already have operational facilities and would only need a license to broaden their services.
The CAC votes for these two projects are set for September 25.
The final decision on which three projects will get a license is expected in December.
The Coney Island casino proposal is nearing its end due to strong community and political opposition. As the final vote approaches, it is clear that preserving Coney Island's historical and cultural integrity takes precedence over introducing a new casino development.
