Sarika Kapoor, a judge in the Supreme Court of Nassau County, New York, issued an order nullifying the 99-year lease the county government had signed over to Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), which authorized LVS to develop a $4 billion integrated casino resort at the side of Nassau Coliseum, former home of the New York Islanders hockey team.
The decision came in a lawsuit pressed by Hofstra University and other schools near the Coliseum site, which have objected to the casino plan—one of 10 bids from the five New York City boroughs for one of three downstate casino licenses—on the basis it would place gambling too close to students.
The specific complaint that led to the voiding of the lease was that the plan was pushed through by the county without proper public notice, and with insufficient environmental review.
The judge held that the project’s approval overlooked essential procedures such as public meetings and prior environmental analyses, as required by law. “Respondents violated both the Open Meetings Law and SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) in approving the lease transfer,” Kapoor stated in her 32-page opinion.
“The court recognized the public’s right to participate in decision-making about the current redevelopment plan for the Nassau Hub,” said Hofstra President Susan Poser in a statement, published by Yogonet. “We look forward to contributing to the planning process and advocating for the use of the Hub in ways that will best contribute to our thriving community, while protecting against environmental and other harms.”
Las Vegas Sands quickly said it will appeal the decision.
“Las Vegas Sands is proceeding proudly and enthusiastically with our proposal for an integrated resort and entertainment center at the Nassau Hub,” the company said in a statement. “We are grateful for the wonderful response we have received from the Long Island community and we will be continuing our very comprehensive outreach as we present this transformational project.”
Until the decision is appealed, with the lease now void, Nassau County planning officials will schedule new hearings with the county legislature and vote again on approving the deal—which is likely to start the cycle of litigation again.
