The New York City Planning Commission has voted to approve proposals to build a new land-based casino at the famous Coney Island entertainment destination in Brooklyn.
News 12 reports the application will go to New York City Council for a public hearing and final vote. The Coney casino would form part of a wider development at the same location.
While most commissioners voted in favor of the plans, some concerns were raised during the meeting. These were in addition to objections already flagged by opposition groups when the project came to light in March.
Juan Camilo Osorio was one of the commissioners to oppose the casino at the Commission’s meeting. He said the plan fails to meet several recommendations from the Brooklyn Borough President. This includes insufficient public amenities and street improvement plans that do not fully address flood risks.
Osorio also added his own voice to criticism of the proposed sky bridge design, which forms part of the development.
Will The Coney Secure a Casino License?
Should the project gain approval from the New York City Council, it still faces several more hurdles. The largest comes in the form of having to secure a downstate casino license from the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board.
Just three licenses are up for grabs, with several parties set to lodge applications. In total, 11 casino projects have so far been revealed in New York, with formal bids due by June.
Votes on licenses are set to take place in September, with a final decision due December 1.
What Does The Wider Project Include?
Thor Equities, Legends Entertainment and the Chickasaw Nation are backing the project. In total, the development would stretch across an area of 1.3 million square feet and be built between the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel Coney Island attractions.
In terms of gaming space, consumers would have access to a 353,000-square-foot gaming facility. Other amenities would include a hotel, convention center and retail space.
The development would also feature a 20,000-square-foot food hall with local vendors, over 100,000 square feet of “open rooftop space” and 1,500 parking spaces.
