Last Manhattan casino option dead as 'Freedom Plaza' proposal by the United Nations voted down
Published in News & Features
NEW YORK — A casino is officially not in the cards for Manhattan after a controversial proposal to build a towering entertainment complex a stone’s throw from the United Nations was scrapped by a committee vote Monday.
The local Community Advisory Committee, tasked with deciding whether to advance the “Freedom Plaza” application for consideration by the state, rejected the bid in a 4-to-2 vote. Two other proposed sites in Manhattan were voted down last week.
That leaves five casino projects around the New York City area in the running to secure one of up to three lucrative casino licenses expected to be handed out by the state.
The $11.1 billion pitch from entertainment behemoth Mohegan and the Soloviev Group near the UN would have included building several towers along the East River with more than a thousand apartments, 1,250 hotel rooms, 5 acres of green space and a “Museum of Freedom and Democracy” in addition to the casino.
But its proximity to the United Nations — which is currently hosting its annual General Assembly — plus longstanding community opposition ultimately doomed the project.
Monday’s decision was applauded by the local elected officials represented on the Community Advisory Committee who voted down Freedom Plaza: Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein and City Councilman Keith Powers.
“Our neighbors on the East Side of Manhattan have communicated to us, and to the [Community Advisory Committee], through hours of public hearings, significant concerns regarding increased congestion, public safety, and the quality-of-life concerns this project would introduce into our community,” they said in a joint statement. “For this reason, we support the CAC’s decision today to not advance the casino proposal at Freedom Plaza.”
Soloviev Group CEO Michael Hershman said the team had been “humbled” by the support it received along the way.
“We are proud of our partnership with Mohegan and the vision that informed this project that would have revitalized Midtown East and delivered for workers, residents and organizations across this city,” he said in a press release. “Manhattan is the undisputed capital of the world, and it deserved a fully integrated resort that would have attracted visitors while serving the needs of its community.”
The committee vote was the culmination of years of heated campaigning and countless community meetings. It comes less than a week after a pair of committees nixed the only other Manhattan casino proposals in Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen.
Only applicants approved by their respective Community Advisory Committees will advance for consideration by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board.
With Manhattan off the table, the focus now shifts outside Manhattan.
Two existing “racinos,” MGM Empire City in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens, are seen as front-runners in the license contest. Both have their committee votes scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile The Coney, Brooklyn’s sole casino contender, appears to be in trouble as several Community Advisory Committee members announced their opposition Monday ahead of an as-yet unscheduled final vote.
That leaves Mets owner Steve Cohen’s pet project Metropolitan Park in Queens and Bally’s in the Bronx as the remaining wild cards.
Mayor Adams said he thinks the projects should have been pushed forward for state review. His Community Advisory Committee representatives voted in favor of all three vetoed Manhattan casino applications alongside appointees of Gov. Hochul.
“Using their representatives on three Community Advisory Committees, elected officials have unfairly taken Manhattan out of the game before it even began,” Adams said. “This is an unfortunate outcome, as more proposals foster competition, leading to stronger plans that deliver greater public benefits. To be clear, this is not simply a rejection of a new casino in Manhattan — it is a rejection of new housing, new schools, billions of dollars in investment, and more for the borough.”
The remaining committee votes will take place by Sept. 30 ahead of a final state decision by Dec. 1. Licenses will be issued by the end of the year.
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