The Coney Casino Secures First NYC Community Board Backing — With Caveat

Posted on: January 17, 2024, 01:34h. 

Last updated on: January 17, 2024, 03:41h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Coney Casino & Resort has secured the first backing from a New York City Community Board, a quasi-government agency that serves in advisory functions only. However, there’s a caveat to the $3 billion entertainment district proposed for Coney Island receiving such public support.

Last week, Brooklyn’s Community Board 11 voted unanimously to endorse The Coney development. The 20-0 vote came after a public meeting where residents voiced overwhelming support for bringing thousands of jobs, economic activity, and new tax streams to the southern end of the borough.

The more people learn about jobs, opportunities, and benefits that The Coney will bring to Brooklyn and Coney Island, the more they like it,” said Robert Cornegy, a former city council member for the 36th district who last year joined The Coney project in an consultative role. “We will keep speaking to everyone and engaging our communities from the ground up because Coney Island is a vibrant neighborhood and The Coney will be the economic driver that helps us revitalize it.”

The Coney is being pitched by New York real estate giant Thor Equities in partnership with Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation, and Legends Hospitality. It’s one of an expected 10 or so bids seeking a downstate casino license. New York’s Gaming Facility Location Board is expected to issue the three coveted gaming concessions by the end of the year.

Boards Have Opposed Casino Pitches

There are 59 community boards in New York, each composed of unsalaried members appointed by borough presidents in consultation with borough council members. To be appointed, a person must live or work in the community.

Community boards gauge public support for economic, land use, and zoning matters. Though city council members have regularly sided with CBs, their positions carry no official weight.

CB11 instead represents Bensonhurst and Bath Beach, immediately north of Coney Island.

Coney Island Board Has Different Stance

Community Board 13 is the board that covers Coney Island, where the iconic Wonder Wheel Ferris wheel and Cyclone roller coaster stand.

Last May, Community Board 13 voiced its opposition to the casino, claiming the development would add further traffic congestion, increase crime, and lead to higher rents.

We don’t want it,” said CB13 Chair Lucy Mujica Diaz. The board’s opposition was made official through a 23-8 resolution.

Diaz said the good-paying jobs The Coney would bring might lead to Coney Island residents losing their housing subsidies.

Fortunately for The Coney developers, CB13 cannot prevent the resort from coming to fruition. Before the Gaming Facility Location Board can review the project, which would include a casino, hotel, a one-acre public park, on-site parking, and retail and restaurant space catering to local Brooklyn and Coney Island businesses, a newly formed community advisory committee (CAC) must first endorse the undertaking.

Each casino’s CAC will consist of six members, with those seats appointed by the governor, mayor of NYC, applicable New York State senator and assemblyperson, applicable borough president, and applicable city councilor.

During an interview with Casino.org last July, Paul Pippin, chief operating officer of Global Gaming Solutions, the gaming subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation, said the consortium was strongly interested in community input.

We look at this as part of the process,” Pippin said. “The community feedback is super important to us. We appreciate the comments and utilize the feedback to make our application stronger.”

Officials with The Coney told Casino.org this week that the project has gained the signatures of more than 10K people from Coney Island and South Brooklyn who support the project.