Cappelli estimated that with the NYPA project, the total Hamilton Green development cost will be approximately $900 million.
Pending sales in the Northeast increased incrementally even though home price growth in the region has been the strongest in the country.
The court also ruled that New York’s prohibition on the installation of fossil-fuel equipment does not concern the “energy use” of covered products as defined by EPCA and is therefore not preempted.
Since opening in October 2006, Empire City Casino has generated more than $5 billion for New York State education.
ALBANY—The high-stakes game to secure one of three casino gaming licenses in the New York metro area has reached a key milestone with eight players putting $1 million each on the table in the hopes that the cards will be dealt their way.
The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board received a total of eight applications in response to the Request for Applications for up to three Downstate casino gaming licenses before the 4 p.m. deadline on June 27. Each applicant had to submit a $1-million application fee to stay in the game.
One entrant that local business leaders and politicos are rooting for is the Empire City Casino property in Yonkers. MGM Yonkers Inc., a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International, announced it had submitted its commercial casino license application to the New York Gaming Commission and the Gaming Facility Location Board, with a $2.3-billion proposal to transform its historic Empire City Casino site into a commercial casino and entertainment destination.
MGM Yonkers' plans include the full renovation and expansion of Empire City Casino's existing gaming areas, an expansive high-limit lounge and the addition of a state-of-the-art BetMGM Sportsbook offering retail sports betting. The plan also envisions the addition of a 5,000-person maximum capacity entertainment venue and accompanying meeting space which will welcome a variety of A-list and local performances with the design flexibility to accommodate special events, local graduations and other community needs, MGM Yonkers officials stated.
Additionally, three new full-service restaurants and the renovation of existing food and beverage venues are planned. A parking garage with solar energy arrays and electric vehicle parking spaces is also included in the casino plan. If MGM Yonkers is awarded a commercial casino license, it anticipates completing all project elements by mid-2029.
"Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway have anchored the entertainment and tourism culture in downstate New York for more than a century. Achieving a full casino license will ensure this site will continue to be a cultural and economic force for generations to come," said Bill Hornbuckle, President and CEO of MGM Resorts International.
Since opening in October 2006, Empire City Casino has generated more than $5 billion for New York State education, including $1.6 billion since MGM Resorts assumed ownership in 2019.
If a license is awarded to Empire City, 20% of the generated tax revenue will be distributed with 10% directed to the City of Yonkers, 5% to Westchester County and 5% divided between Rockland and Putnam counties. The proposal estimates the project will ultimately create thousands of direct, induced and indirect jobs through the new economic activity that the commercial casino license would generate for the region.
A day earlier, the Yonkers City Council unanimously approved the zoning ordinance and zoning map amendment establishing the property at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts (810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers) as a designated Casino District. The approval paved the way for the expansion of the existing property into a full-scale commercial casino with Class III slot machines, live-dealer table games, and retail sports betting, pending New York State approval.
“Yonkers is on its way to winning big in spurring transformative economic growth, job creation, entertainment and more,” said Yonkers Mayor Spano after the Council’s vote. “This vote signals to New York that the Yonkers site has speed to market readiness and is prepared to hit the ground running once licenses are granted. Working with our community members, city leaders and MGM Resorts, we have the support and commitment needed for this project to succeed right out of the gate — providing economic benefits for the city, county and state while making Yonkers a premier destination.”
The other seven casino license applicants include the existing Resorts World New York City casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Jamaica, Queens; The Avenir at Hudson Yards in Manhattan; Bally’s New York Casino at Ferry Point in The Bronx; Caesars Palace Times Square at 1515 Broadway in Manhattan; Freedom Plaza at 686 1st Ave. in Manhattan; Metropolitan Park adjacent to Citi Field at Willets Point in Queens; and The Coney at ConeyIsland in Brooklyn.
The Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to make its final decision on casino applications by Dec. 1, 2025, with the New York State Gaming Commission awarding up to three casino licenses and collecting a $500-million license fee from each award recipient by Dec. 31, 2025.
Cappelli estimated that with the NYPA project, the total Hamilton Green development cost will be approximately $900 million.
Pending sales in the Northeast increased incrementally even though home price growth in the region has been the strongest in the country.
The court also ruled that New York’s prohibition on the installation of fossil-fuel equipment does not concern the “energy use” of covered products as defined by EPCA and is therefore not preempted.
If the Town Hall renovation and expansion project moves forward, the town would interview bid respondents in September and October and possibly issue a formal Request for Proposals in November of this year.
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