At a recent Hempstead zoning meeting, Las Vegas Sands’ lawyers said talks with potential partners are ongoing, but time is running out, and a deal may not be ready to submit a bid for one of three downstate casino licenses
As the June 27 deadline gets closer for casino license applications in New York, nobody knows what will happen to the proposed makeover project at the Nassau Coliseum site. Las Vegas Sands, once the main force behind a big casino-resort for the Uniondale property, is now backing off and trying to find another company to take over its plans.
Sands Faces Time Crunch as It Seeks Successor for Coliseum Casino Bid
At a recent zoning board meeting in Hempstead, Sands’ lawyers said that while they are still talking to possible partners, time is running out. They cannot promise they will have a deal ready in time to put in a bid for one of three prized downstate casino licenses.
Even though Sands has pulled out of the New York casino competition, it is still working to rezone the 72-acre plot, reported Newsday. The proposed zoning shift would establish a new development area — Mitchel Field Integrated Resort District — allowing the construction of a 280-foot hotel, entertainment spots, shops, and a casino, if another company steps in.
Sands’ exit was mainly due to the growth of online betting, which the company thinks poses a threat to the financial health of physical casinos. When Sands first showed off its $6 billion plan, it wanted to breathe new life into the underused Coliseum site with a high-end resort. That figure has since grown to $7.6 billion, making it even harder to find a replacement.
Community Divided Over Nassau Coliseum’s Future Amid Job Promises and Local Concerns
Local officials and stakeholders disagree. Labor unions and business supporters claim that the project, even without a casino, would generate thousands of jobs and breathe new life into the area. John Durso, who heads the Long Island Federation of Labor, stressed that rezoning the site could create opportunities for steady work and keep young employees on Long Island.
Critics, though, stand their ground. Locals, along with nearby places like Hofstra University, have sounded the alarm about possible rises in crime, traffic jams, and shifts in the suburb-like feel of the neighborhood. Garden City leaders have shot down the plan several times, doubting whether it makes sense to move ahead without a confirmed developer.
The casino’s future looks uncertain, but Sands still thinks changing the zoning rules is key to giving the site a makeover.
Bruce Blakeman, the County Executive, says companies from the US and abroad have shown interest, but nobody has made any official announcements yet. Backers reckon the Coliseum area could still get a fresh look even without a casino, as long as they update the zoning rules in time. What comes next hinges on whether someone steps up to replaceSands, or if Nassau decides to go in a different direction.
