With a New York City Community Advisory Committee voting on Sept. 17 to reject two Manhattan casino proposals, effectively killing the projects, many people are now focused on Yonkers where on Sept. 25 the Yonkers MGM Empire City Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is scheduled to vote on the current casino expansion proposal. If the Yonkers committee votes to approve the project, MGM’s application for a full-casino license proceeds to consideration by the New York state’s Gaming Facility Location Board. If the CAC votes not to approve MGM’s plan, it effectively kills MGM’s application for a full-casino license.
The MGM Empire City CAC held its final public hearing on Sept. 16, where both supporters and opponents voiced their opinions on the plan. About 75 speakers appeared at the hearing at the Yonkers Montessori Academy.
The New York City proposals for fully licensed casinos at Times Square and the Hudson Yards on the city’s West Side were backed by major developers but faced strong opposition from residents and local officials. The $5.4 billion Caesars Palace Times Square proposal was backed by developers SL Green, Roc Nation, and Caesars Entertainment. The project was opposed by Broadway groups and local residents who feared it would harm the theater community and negatively impact the neighborhood.
The other Manhattan casino plan was called The Avenir and was a $7 billion proposal by Silverstein Properties and Rush Street Gaming. The plan included a hotel, housing, and a community center.
Other New York City proposals are competing with MGM for the three full-casino licenses to be awarded for the southern part of the state. These include proposals for the Ferry Point area of the Bronx, Coney Island, Aqueduct Racetrack, near Citi Field and Freedom Plaza, which is south of the U. N. headquarters.
All of the Community Advisory Committee votes are required to be completed by Sept. 30.
MGM Empire City in Yonkers has proposed a $2.3 billion renovation and expansion for its site that includes Yonkers Raceway.
John Cooney Jr., executive director of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc., in a submission to Westfair’s Westchester County Business Journal, described the MGM project as “the job creation event Westchester’s construction industry has been waiting for.”
Cooney said that the renovation and expansion would generate 6,500 construction jobs requiring nearly 4 million hours of labor. Cooney’s submission follows:
“From its early days as Empire City Race Track to its present status as Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, this is an organization that has faithfully employed local workers and been a loyal union partner. At present, 80% of MGM Empire City’s employees have been employed by the casino for more than five years, and a large number of them for nearly 20 years. More than a third of the workforce call Yonkers home and more than half reside in Westchester County. Similarly, local tradespeople have worked on the property for decades, with some even having multigenerational connections to the property.
“Beyond the project itself, MGM’s commitment to Yonkers, as outlined in its Community Benefits Agreement, will also create employment opportunities for local tradespeople. The $10 million renovation of a new library and community center, $4 million in façade and streetscape improvements along Yonkers Avenue, and $1.25 million in park enhancements all require skilled labor and Westchester’s talent pool is ready to roll.
“It’s important to remember that Empire City’s redevelopment plans are not just a win for the local workforce, they’re also a win for local businesses. At present, Empire City spends $30 million annually with vendors within a 20-mile radius and the procurement opportunities will grow substantially if it is awarded a full casino license. Further, Empire City aims to triple its annual impact on the City of Yonkers, a major win for New York’s third largest city.
“Perhaps the most reassuring component of MGM’s proposed redevelopment in Yonkers is that it isn’t a theoretical project, it’s an expansion of an existing business. MGM invested $1 billion to purchase and upgrade the property in 2019. This capital investment comes alongside a $1 million investment in philanthropic giving since 2019. MGM is already embedded in and supporting the community. A full casino license only stands to amplify its impact.
“As the effects of federal budget cuts make their way to New York, Westchester would benefit greatly from the expansion of Empire City. Job creation, tax revenue, funding for schools, tourism dollars, and more all stem from this redevelopment project. Rather than residents and tourists leaving New York to visit expansive casinos in nearby states, they can visit Manhattan’s closest casino, less than 15 miles from midtown. This will not only keep gambling dollars in our state, but also generate revenue for our local hotels, restaurants and retail businesses.
“From the 4,800-car parking garage to the new gaming floor and first-class entertainment venue, Empire City’s expansion plans would give local tradespeople the opportunity to secure well-paying jobs in Westchester. Currently, many members of our workforce travel beyond Westchester for construction work. When they travel outside of the county, oftentimes the money they spend on food, gas and other incidentals follows.
“As we approach the final days before the Community Action Committee casts their vote, I encourage all Westchester residents to take the time to understand what this project could mean for us and add their voice of support to the project. It’s a boon for our construction workforce, a gift to our economy, and a tangible project to help keep our region moving forward.”
