Las Vegas Sands has cleared a key hurdle in its quest to build a $4 billion (£3.6 billion/€3.8 billion) integrated resort, according to multiple media reports published yesterday (2 December). The company has plans to build on the site of the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.
The environmental plan for Sands New York was approved by the state legislature in November. The 28,000-page environmental impact plan is available for review and public comment on the Nassau legislature’s website. Public comments will be accepted until 6 January and an in-person public hearing is set for 9 December.
The casino plan has met substantial opposition, mostly from nearby schools including Hofstra University and Kellenberg High School. Local communities also have opposed the casino, citing potential crime, addiction, traffic congestion and environmental issues. There is an organised opposition group called ‘Say No to the Casino’ that has called on its members to attend the 6 January public meeting to oppose the project.
Las Vegas Sands originally was granted a 99-year lease for the property surrounding the Nassau Coliseum, the former home of the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. However, a New York state judge ruled the first lease invalid in 2023 on the basis of a lack of public debate.
Plan calls for $150 million in improvements
In August, the Nassau County legislature and the Rules Committee voted to approve a new 42-year lease for the project. The approval was pending the environmental review.
The environmental plan approved by the legislature calls for more than $150 million in improvements, among them, construction to improve traffic flow and mitigation measures to protect local wildlife. A gambling addiction support centre is also included in the plan.
In calling for opposition to the plan, the Say No group released a statement on 22 November saying:
“Even with a few segments of extra lanes, our parkways will not be able to handle the massive increase in traffic that LVS expects and we have no feasible mass transit alternative. [The casino] will create an addiction crisis in our community that will put tremendous strain on our mental health and social services.”
Casino will take up only 10% of total space
The project would occupy 72 acres on the Coliseum site. In addition to the Sands New York Casino, the project would include outdoor community spaces, four- and five-star hotel rooms and a world-class live performance venue honouring the legacy of live music at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The resort property would also feature celebrity chef restaurants, experiential events and venues and flexible meeting and convention space. Other planned amenities include a luxury day spa, swimming pool and health club, and other entertainment programming.
In keeping with long-running LVS integrated resort policy, the casino would occupy less than 10% of the total square footage.
Should the project survive local opposition, it would still need state approval after a fierce competition among the 11 proposals. The bid deadline is June 2025. The New York Facility Location Board is aiming to issue licences at the end of next year.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/las-vegas-sands-environmental-plan-approved/
