Foxwoods eyes site in Liberty
Planned casino would be next to Grossinger's
LIBERTY — Connecticut's Foxwoods Resort Casino plans to make a play to build a casino next to the former Grossinger's hotel in Liberty.
The operator of the largest casino complex in North America is close to inking a deal on a venture with landowner Muss Development Corp., company executives say.
The Muss family, Manhattan real estate developers, owns 500 acres next to the 18-hole golf course and long-closed hotel. Should a widely anticipated state referendum on casino gambling pass in November, the Foxwoods-Muss group would vie for one of potentially seven licenses expected to be available statewide if the referendum OKs casino gambling.
"We are extremely interested in developing a destination resort casino in the Catskills and the 500-acre Muss site at Grossinger's is perfectly situated to accomplish that goal," said Scott Butera, Foxwoods Resort and Casino president and chief operating officer.
"We believe that having more than one resort casino in the Catskills will help drive the governor's vision of promoting a world-class tourist destination. Over the last several weeks, we have been working with Muss to develop a plan to move forward. Together, we look forward to continuing our discussions with local and state elected officials, " Butera said.
Muss' chief operating officer, Jeff Kay, said Foxwoods' "proven track record" will help make their bid competitive in what could become a crowded field of suitors for a gambling license. The Muss family favors having more than one casino sited in the Catskills.
"We think Sullivan County could support more than one," Kay said.
Muss Development owns 50 acres near the ninth hole of the golf course, where the family once built some model homes for an aborted housing development. The other 450 acres is around the lake. The Muss family has owned the property since the 1980s. A company controlled by Westchester developer Louis Cappelli owns the former hotel site.
Kay said the 50-acre site would be a good location for the hotel and casino but the plan is open at this early stage.
Foxwoods, which operates a complex of six casinos on the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Reservation in Ledyard, Conn., struggled through the recession with falling revenue and significant debt.
Foxwoods is also pursuing a license to build a $1 billion resort off I-495 in Milford, Mass., near Boston.
Butera said the company has completed a major restructuring. "That is all behind us." He said Foxwoods would pursue the Catskills project, even if it is selected for a license in Massachusetts.
"We think the site is a terrific site," Butera said. "The old Grossinger's site is prime for development."
Liberty Supervisor Charlie Barbuti said he's pleased with the renewed interest in Grossinger's.
"I don't know how it is going to play out," Barbuti said. "They seem like the real deal."
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