The first of two mandated public hearings for The Coney’s casino licence bid in New York was held on Tuesday at the Coney Island YMCA and the raucous atmosphere seemed more like a rivalry game than a community gathering.
It took approximately four hours to get through nearly 100 speakers, with frequent interruptions to quiet the crowd. Microphones used by overzealous speakers had to be cut off and security had to be brought in for some disputes. All told, it was the rowdiest community hearing among those held since June in the process to determine which of eight applicants should receive three downstate New York casino licences.
The hearing was hosted by The Coney’s community advisory committee, which is tasked with evaluating the level of public support for the Coney Island casino project. In order to advance further, the bid needs four of six CAC members to vote in favour. At least one more hearing must be held before the CAC’s 30 September voting deadline.
A consortium of partners that includes Thor Equities, the Chickasaw Nation and Saratoga Casino Holdings has pitched The Coney as a transformative project that would turn Coney Island into a year-round destination rather than just a summer staple. The $3.4 billion project would include a casino, hotel, convention space, an entertainment venue and much else.
Of the eight downstate bids, The Coney is the only project representing Brooklyn. Proponents point to the borough’s history of economic underperformance and the project’s revitalising potential. Opponents counter with concerns about negative casino impact and the desire to keep the neighbourhood’s historical charm intact. Both sides were loud and proud in their arguments on Tuesday.
Stakeholders pledge community benefits and investments
Representatives from the project attempted to give a truncated presentation prior to the comment period. This was made difficult by the noise and reactions of the crowd and appeared to be cut short.
“Seventeen percent unemployment is what we’re facing today,” said Thor COO Melissa Gliatta. “What we heard in the over 500 meetings that we did throughout the community was ‘We don’t want just jobs, we want careers’ … and we’re here to provide that.”
Gliatta’s Thor colleague, Executive Vice President Peter McEneaney, commented that “traffic has been probably the number one concern” from locals. The project would involve several municipal changes, including de-mapping some streets that residents say are already overcrowded. McEneaney pledged a “multi-modal” transportation strategy that emphasises public transit rather than cars.
In response to concerns about public safety, the partners are pledging $75 million towards emergency services. This is in addition to a community-managed $200 million trust fund from the Coney Island casino.
Also speaking on Tuesday was Robert Cornegy Jr, the project’s community leader and former city council member for the city’s 36th District in Brooklyn. He appeared to address accusations about his motivations without directly referring to them.
“That’s what my life’s work was built on: ensuring that communities like this are included in large-scale projects like this, so I don’t want anybody confused about why I’m here and what my mission is,” he asserted.
Opposition from Coney locals fierce and longstanding
The first few hours of comments were balanced evenly in support and in opposition, but gradually, this balance began to shift more towards opposition. Local meetings were held on each New York casino project before the state process began and many people have attended each while reiterating their stances. Several speakers in opposition to the Coney project noted this and vowed to keep up the fight.
“A casino doesn’t come and go, it takes roots, it reshapes the landscape, it changes the character of this neighbourhood forever,” said a local resident who identified himself as Roman. “And once that happens, the Coney Island that we love, the Coney Island built on family, leisure and joy, becomes something else entirely and something that we will never get back.”
As part of this local-to-state evolution, each project faced votes from various city community boards. These votes were non-binding but were expected to play a role in later considerations. Brooklyn’s Community Board 13 voted against The Coney in January. Several CB13 reps spoke against the project again and urged the CAC to heed their decision.
“Please respect the vote of the CB13,” said board chair Jeffrey Sanoff. “We worked very hard and we had public hearings too. Ours went similar to yours,” he said, referencing the commotion.
The issue of traffic, as stakeholders had expected, was also prevalent. Numerous attendees lamented the strained emergency services. Testimonies were given about sick loved ones and elderly relatives who would be affected.
Supporters point to economic impact of a Coney Island casino
Many of those in support of The Coney stressed the need for local economic investment. Coney Island was a top tourism draw in decades past, but it is now largely a relic. A casino, while imperfect, represents a rare development opportunity.
If you’re wondering what Coney Island looks like, I took these in the afternoon and it’s exactly as you imagined: a desolate amusement area from a horror movie right before the zombie jump-scare scene
And yet, people were still out getting Nathan’s Famous hot dogs LOL
pic.twitter.com/ONYn8Acd6m
— Asad
(@AsadFromNYC) June 8, 2023
“The people in Coney Island, especially the youth, they need an opportunity to let somebody give them a chance so that they can build something for themselves,” urged Martin Allen, on behalf of the group People for Political and Economic Empowerment.
Local business groups also came in support, as has been the case for most bids.
“The Coney project represents one of the most significant private investments in Brooklyn in decades, bringing thousands of good-paying, permanent year-round jobs to a community that has long faced seasonal employment challenges,” said Dina Rabiner, senior vice president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, joined by others from the group.
Those who were in favour were outnumbered, especially near the end of the hearing. Still, they commented that opponents were citing problems that already exist rather than ills a casino would create.
“The gentleman that just left said crime, traffic and addiction. We have that right now and there is no casino!” argued resident Ed Watson. “So if we have that right now and there’s no casino and there’s no jobs, what are we doing?”
In New York a group’s bid to develop a Coney Island casino elicited strong reactions from those speaking both for and against it.