Officials of New York’s Nassau County on Long Island are adjusting their lease approval process to issue a valid lease to Las Vegas Sands (LVS) for its integrated resort proposal at the site of the Nassau Coliseum.
In February, a state judge ruled that the 99-year lease the county granted LVS in 2022 for the Coliseum and surrounding land is invalid, because it was approved without a proper public hearing or an environmental review. County officials, anxious for the revenue the project would bring, said last week they are addressing the problem with a new lease process.
“In spite of delays and changing circumstances, we are fully committed to deal with Sands to bring a world-class hotel, entertainment center, casino and spa to Nassau County,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the extraordinary and diverse support our proposal continues to receive and look forward to working with all parties involved to move this transformational development forward,” read a statement provided by an LVS spokesperson to New York’s News 12. “We remain committed to being a collaborative partner and excellent neighbor to the organizations and residents of Nassau County.”
Meanwhile, Las Vegas Sands CEO Rob Goldstein ripped New York state officials on an earnings call, complaining about the long and convoluted process applicants face before licenses will be considered.
“We’re very disappointed by New York,” Goldstein said. “We’ve been working there for a long time, and we thought it would happen in ’24… Now they’re saying’ 25 or ’26. I don’t think we have any clarity, to be honest with you. It’s confusing and disappointing… I just don’t know about New York. We wish they’d figure it out and let us know.”
In addition to a casino, the $4 billion Sands New York would include outdoor community spaces, four- and five-star hotel rooms, celebrity chef restaurants, meeting and convention space, and a world-class live performance venue. The project has been vehemently opposed by schools near the parcel, led by Hofstra University.
