New York City Mayor Eric Adams has vetoed the New York City Council’s disapproval of the only application to build a casino in the Bronx, preventing the borough from competing for a downstate casino license.
The move comes just two weeks after the council rejected a zoning change that Bally’s needed to progress with its aim of securing one of the coverted three New York City gaming licences. Bally’s blueprint for its golf course in Throggs Neck, Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point. The project has faced strong opposition from local councilwoman, Kristy Marmorato, who was instrumental in convincing the council to vote against the change in land use.
Mayor Adams said: “A casino in New York City would bring good-paying union jobs and an economic boost to the surrounding community, which is why I have long advocated for a fair process with as many competitive bids as possible. In stark contrast, the City Council’s disapproval of the Bally’s Bronx bid deprives the Bronx of the ability to even compete for a $4bn private investment that would deliver 15,000 union construction jobs, 4,000 permanent union jobs, and more than $625m in community benefits — including millions in funding for schools, parks, youth programs, nonprofits, and public safety — if selected by the state.
“The City Council’s decision to treat the Bronx differently than other boroughs goes against the publicly stated, in-favor positions of the Bronx borough president and other councilmembers representing working-class neighborhoods across the Bronx. By rejecting the land use application for this casino bid while approving three others in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, the City Council is putting its finger on the scale — and this is precisely the type of action that leads New Yorkers to lose faith in their elected leaders,” he added.
“For all of these reasons, and at the direct request of both chairs of the City Council Land Use Committee and Subcommittee on Zoning — both of whom represent districts in the Bronx — I have decided to veto the City Council’s land use decision, which will re-level the playing field and allow the Bronx to have a seat at the table, rather than give an unfair advantage to the other bidders and boroughs.
“To make myself abundantly clear, this is not an endorsement or expression of support giving a leg up to any casino bid over the others as the City Council has tried to do, but an action I feel is necessary to best ensure a fair and competitive process. May the best applications win.”
The move was seen as controversial by opposition groups, including the Council.
Council spokesperson Mara Davis said: “Despite the self-serving claims about housing and land use by Mayor Adams and his second Charter Revision Commission in less than two years, Mayor Adams has issued the first and only land use veto during his tenure for a casino applicant, not housing. The mayor can’t claim to have the most pro-housing administration in city history when he and Randy Mastro single-handedly killed Elizabeth Street Garden affordable housing for seniors that was approved by the Council six years ago in the land use process.”
“This administration’s hypocrisy and unethical conduct is well documented and has been witnessed by all New Yorkers, so the mayor’s words have no credibility. The Council will consider its next steps on this land use application.”
The post New York City Mayor vetoes Council’s refusal to allow land change for Bally’s Bronx appeared first on G3 Newswire.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has vetoed the New York City Council’s disapproval of the only application to build a casino in the Bronx, preventing the borough from competing for a downstate casino license. The move comes just two weeks after the council rejected a zoning change that Bally’s needed to progress with its…
The post New York City Mayor vetoes Council’s refusal to allow land change for Bally’s Bronx appeared first on G3 Newswire.