MGM’s $2.3B Empire City Yonkers Pitch Promises Fast Delivery, Jobs, and Education Funding at CAC Meeting

MGM representatives appeared before a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to present the company’s plans to expand MGM Empire City as part of the New York casino bidding process.

The company was noted by its absence at the first scheduled CAC on July 24, with no explanation given as to why the proposal was not presented at the initial meeting.

This time, however, the company outlined its plans for the $2.3 billion redevelopment project at Empire City Yonkers. It is the smallest of the eight casino proposals competing for three New York licenses, and the only proposal outside of New York City.

MGM faces a more formidable challenge to collect the required four votes of approval from the CAC, which has only five members, compared to the six members on the NY City CACs.

MGM Emphasizes Long Links With Yonkers Community

The focus of the presentation was on MGM’s longstanding place in the community through its Empire City racino, which dates back to 1899. MGM took over operations of the venue in January 2019, with the New York State Gaming Commission approving the sale for approximately $850 million.

Three representatives from the Empire City venue attended the meeting:

• Louie Theros, president and COO of Empire City Casino
• Chia Chia Yeh, Director of F&B Operations at Empire City Casino
• Jonathon Cocciola, Vice President of Finance at Empire City Casino

They were supported by representatives from the casino’s partners, including two individuals from the design firm JCJ Architecture, Taryn Duffy, President and CEO of lobby group Tarsam Public Affairs, and lawyer Mark. P. Weingarten.

Theros led the team and highlighted the number of jobs the project has created since MGM took control of the premises in 2019. Since then, Theros said, the venue has doubled its staff, and plans to continue employing members of the local community.

Theros added: “Let me assure you, Empire has been, is, and will continue to be the best possible corporate citizen it can be to Yonkers, its residents, and the community.”

Currently, 35% of the venue’s staff are City of Yonkers residents, with 53% coming from Westchester County. Theros also noted that the workforce is from diverse racial backgrounds and is made up of 46% women.

All the staff, Theros said, are excited at the prospect of expanding the venue and creating more opportunities in the local community.

He added: “Simply put, Yonkers and our employees have waited years for this project. They have earned it and they deserve it. “

Expansion Will Double Yonkers Funds, Add to Education and Racing Purses

Tax funds generated by the Empire City racino have also contributed $334 million in state-issued aid to Yonkers, while MGM pays an annual fee of $19.6 million to the city for hosting the venue.

Cocciola went on to add that he expects Yonkers to double its income from the project, from the current $27 million to $56 million a year, which includes 10% of gaming taxes going towards the city.

The presentation went on to focus on the contributions MGM has made to New York’s tax revenue over the past six years. A total of $5 billion has gone towards education funding in the state, with more to follow if a full license is granted.

Theros also became animated and pounded the table when emphasizing the hundreds of millions MGM has added to racing purses, which he promised “will continue.”

The venue also plans to host NY Yankees events after MGM signed a partnership with the MLB team last year.

Fast Delivery of $2.3 Billion Revamp

The site is due to be opened in July 2027, making it the second shortest timeline, behind only Resorts World NYC. Mike Larson, from JCJ Architecture, went on to detail the plan for the expansion, which includes:

• Revamped and expanded casino floor
• 9 new restaurants and 5 new bars
• An entertainment venue with a 5,000 person capacity
• BetMGM retail sportsbook
• Parking garage with roof-top solar array

A video posted on X when the plans were first revealed showed what the casino will look like if given the go-ahead.

Larson also pointed out that the project will connect upstate and downstate due to its unique location. All the other bids are within New York City, but the Empire City site can connect more to the rural landscape, merging modern architecture with natural beauty.

Larson said: “Our project site sits at a very unique point of convergence. It borders both the urban metropolis that is New York City to the south and is a gateway to the natural beauty of the surrounding New York countryside to the north. We drew upon this convergence as our inspiration for what the reinvented MGM Empire City should look like.”

The CAC must hold at least two public hearings for the project, with the first scheduled for August 11, before a vote on the project by September 30.

The race for the three licenses has intensified this week. Caesars is hoping an investment in New York theatre will boost its chances, while Hard Rock may be harmed by the fallout from one of its executives being involved in a betting scandal.

The post MGM’s $2.3B Empire City Yonkers Pitch Promises Fast Delivery, Jobs, and Education Funding at CAC Meeting appeared first on CasinoBeats.

 MGM representatives appeared before a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to present the company’s plans to expand MGM Empire City as part of the New York casino bidding process. The company was noted by its absence at the first scheduled CAC on July 24, with no explanation given as to why the proposal was not presented
The post MGM’s $2.3B Empire City Yonkers Pitch Promises Fast Delivery, Jobs, and Education Funding at CAC Meeting appeared first on CasinoBeats.