The Metropolis Council voted to reject a land-use change for Bally’s to open a on line casino on the Bronx golf property previously operated by President Trump’s firm — successfully killing the bid for a gaming license.
For the bid to proceed with the state for a on line casino license, the Metropolis Council should approve redesignating the Ferry Level parkland property to be used as a on line casino.
Twenty-nine council members voted to reject the change on Monday, whereas simply 9 others supported it and others abstained.
Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, a Republican who represents neighborhoods surrounding the positioning, opposed the measure.
“If I make a promise to my community, I follow through. We won’t win every battle, but we will
always fight for what’s right,” Marmorato mentioned.
Marmorato mentioned she stood with opponents against the $4 billion mission, regardless of last-minute gives from Bally’s.
“[Monday’s] outcome proves that when we stand united—across party lines and with our constituents —we win,” Marmorato mentioned.
“Council members have their own individual perspectives on the value of potential casinos in New York City, which contributed to their votes on whether to support or oppose this land use application for a proposed casino,” mentioned Council spokesperson Mara Davis.
The Council usually — however not all the time — sides with the place of the native council member on land points in his or her district.
Bally’s acquired the lease for the property from the Trump Group with a grand plan to open a on line casino in addition to function a golf course.
The gaming firm was a sufferer of not-in-my-backyard opposition from Marmorato, regardless that the property is just not close to residences, mentioned Bally’s chairman Soo Kim.
“It was not good faith negotiations,” Kim mentioned.
“No people live next to our golf course.”
The $4 billion mission would have been the biggest financial growth program in The Bronx.
Bally’s had agreed to extend a Bronx profit fund from $10 million to $17.5 million, with a majority of the fund allotted to applications chosen by Marmarato.
The corporate additionally vowed to deal with visitors considerations.
Councilman Rafael Salamanca, a supporter of the mission, mentioned the Council rejection is a blow to The Bronx.
Bally’s Company
“This application we’re voting on will not grant Ballys a gaming license…. The State will choose who to award the license,” mentioned Salamanca, who chairs the Council’s land use committee, mentioned throughout the vote.
“But [Monday’s] yes vote to disapprove will not allow the process to continue and deny the unhealthiest and poorest borough an opportunity to grow its economy and provide jobs.”
The defeat of Bally’s proposal is a plus to seven different bidders vying for as much as 3 on line casino licenses at places in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Yonkers.
For instance, Mets proprietor and Exhausting Rock Worldwide submitted a joint bid to function an $8 billion on line casino advanced subsequent to the group’s ballpark in Willets Level.
Not like the Bally’s proposal, the Council authorised the land use request to redesignate that parkland property in Queens to be used as a on line casino.
However Queens Francisco Moya, who represents Queens communities across the proposed Queens on line casino web site, helps the Cohen-Exhausting Rock bid, paving the best way for broader Council backing.
After preliminary resistance, the Council gave the go-ahead for the state Legislature to move a legislation permitting Bally’s to make use of a part of the golf course for a betting facility.
Nevertheless it additionally required a selected municipal zoning change, and the Council members blocked it.
