New York casino planning issues continue

There are still six plans for New York City that are in contention for three casino licenses to host live table games including blackjack, but with every application, traffic continues to be a constant issue at community hearings.

Each of the six casinos has devised strategies to address the traffic issues that are expected to arise from an increase in cars, charter buses, and ridesharing vehicles. The goal of all the plans is to provide people with an incentive or encouragement to use public transit.

Sara Lind, the co-executive director of Open Plans, an organization that promotes the improved utilization of public spaces, stated that it is not realistic to assume that people are not going to be driving to a casino. When people go to a casino, she posits that many hope that they will “strike it rich,” as unlikely as that may be. They do not intend to take a large amount of money back on the subway, instead fantasizing about using a superior form of transportation for the return trip.

Representatives for the Freedom Plaza casino proposal —perhaps the sole casino proposal that remains viable in Manhattan as of right now—make the argument that the majority of guests will be tourists who may not be using rental cars. They also state that having a hotel close to the United Nations will lessen the need for attendees to travel during the gridlock of general assembly weeks.

The design has a number of different components and includes free shuttle services to Grand Central and the neighboring ferry. In addition, it has a traffic manager who is on site twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Furthermore, it provides employees with passes for mass transportation; however, it does not provide staff members with parking on site.

Another casino, the Coney Island Casino, is making plans to provide restricted parking on the already difficult-to-find-space-to-park Coney Island. According to representatives, traffic will be reduced with the addition of four metro lines.

The Coney and Metropolitan Park, located near Citi Field, are also proponents of the creation of new boat service in the area, with the Coney even offering to provide funding for it. However, it has not been easy to obtain new routes, whether by ferry or subway.

We have observed over the history of New York City how challenging that can be. Lind said she is not getting her hopes up.

The suggestions from the Queens Metropolitan Park, which is supported by the owner of the Mets, Steve Cohen, and Resorts World, a proposal to expand an existing casino in the southern portion of Queens, are both located in close proximity to major roads and mass transit.

Cohen's initiative is expected to bring about a significant transformation of the Willets Point 7 station, ensuring its compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The idea will also include the addition of parking garages and the renovation of roadways in order to improve traffic flow, as will the proposals for Resorts World and Empire City in Yonkers, which is located close to the Bronx border.

A rail station in Howard Beach is going to be renovated by Resorts World. Each of them maintains that they are fully prepared to deal with traffic because electronic casinos are currently in operation on their own properties.

Bally's, located in the Bronx near the Whitestone Bridge, said that it will invest $75 million in a shuttle, new Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus stops, and upgrade a road within Ferry Point Park and the Hutchinson River Parkway, in addition to adding parking.

The community advisory groups are responsible for assessing the plans that have not yet been reviewed. These committees have until September 30 to decide which of the proposals will move on to the state for further evaluation. In December, a decision will be reached once and for all.

The State Gaming Facility Location Board will take into consideration the amount of taxes that the state will collect from each project, some of which will be allocated to education and some to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as well as the speed at which each plan may begin generating cash.

Source:

“Casino bids include various plans to soften blow of increased traffic” , Samantha Liebman, ny1.com, September 19, 2025.