EXCLUSIVE: Gambling giant Genting faces fierce opposition to $1.5B bid for casino in Sterling Forest
The company’s proposal is not only the most expensive of the 16 proposed gaming resorts competing for a New York license, but also the most controversial — generating 3,428 letters and emails to state gaming officials about Sterling Forest as of Wednesday.
BY Glenn Blain
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Tuesday, December 9, 2014,
ALBANY — A $1.5 billion plan to build a casino in Sterling Forest is proving to be no easy roll of the dice for gambling giant Genting.
The company’s proposal is not only the most expensive of the 16 proposed gaming resorts competing for a New York license but also the most controversial, generating heated opposition from local activists and environmental groups.
Thanks to their efforts, state gaming officials had received 3,428 letters and emails as of Wednesday about Sterling Forest — the most by far of any of the proposed casinos. The vast majority opposed the project, which is only 41 miles from Manhattan, because of the threat it posed to the surrounding forest.
"Here is our message to Genting: pack up your money and go someplace else," said Rodger Friedman of the Sterling Forest Partnership, which is working with several other environmental groups to oppose the casino.
Key political leaders, including former New York Gov. George Pataki, have also come out against the project.
"I have grave concerns that this project and its projected 7 million visitors would wreak havoc on Sterling Forest," Pataki said in a statement.
Genting, which also operates the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct, insists the Sterling Forest resort will be environmentally friendly, citing a $20 million water treatment plant planned for the project, the rehabilitation of nearby wetlands and hiking trails; and the installation of electricity-generating solar panels.
"We are deeply aware of the emotional connection many feel to Sterling Forest," said Genting spokesman Michael Levoff. "We have designed our project to be in tune with the natural surroundings while protecting the surrounding environment, our most important asset.”
The project includes a 1,000-room hotel, a ski center, hiking trails, gardens and a rejuvenated Renaissance Faire medieval festival. Company officials have also pledged to pay the state a $450 million license fee, far more than the $70 million set minimum.
The debate over Sterling Forest comes as the panel charged with selecting casino locations nears a decision. The five-member Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to meet behind closed doors in Manhattan on Tuesday before holding its final meeting in Albany on Dec. 17.
State law allows for up to four licenses in three upstate regions: along the Pennsylvania border near Binghamton, the Capital Region around Albany, and the Hudson Valley/Catskills region. No region can receive more than two licenses.
The Hudson Valley/Catksills region is the most competitive region, accounting for nine of the casinos.
Lee Park, a spokesman for the state Gaming Commission, said public support is among the factors that committee members must consider in deciding where to locate a casino.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/exclusive-foes-rip-1-5b-sterling-forest-casino-bid-article-1.2038717
The company’s proposal is not only the most expensive of the 16 proposed gaming resorts competing for a New York license but also the most controversial, generating heated opposition from local activists and environmental groups.
Thanks to their efforts, state gaming officials had received 3,428 letters and emails as of Wednesday about Sterling Forest — the most by far of any of the proposed casinos. The vast majority opposed the project, which is only 41 miles from Manhattan, because of the threat it posed to the surrounding forest.
"Here is our message to Genting: pack up your money and go someplace else," said Rodger Friedman of the Sterling Forest Partnership, which is working with several other environmental groups to oppose the casino.
Key political leaders, including former New York Gov. George Pataki, have also come out against the project.
"I have grave concerns that this project and its projected 7 million visitors would wreak havoc on Sterling Forest," Pataki said in a statement.
Genting, which also operates the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct, insists the Sterling Forest resort will be environmentally friendly, citing a $20 million water treatment plant planned for the project, the rehabilitation of nearby wetlands and hiking trails; and the installation of electricity-generating solar panels.
Here is our message to Genting: pack up your money and go someplace else.
"We are deeply aware of the emotional connection many feel to Sterling Forest," said Genting spokesman Michael Levoff. "We have designed our project to be in tune with the natural surroundings while protecting the surrounding environment, our most important asset.”
The project includes a 1,000-room hotel, a ski center, hiking trails, gardens and a rejuvenated Renaissance Faire medieval festival. Company officials have also pledged to pay the state a $450 million license fee, far more than the $70 million set minimum.
The debate over Sterling Forest comes as the panel charged with selecting casino locations nears a decision. The five-member Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to meet behind closed doors in Manhattan on Tuesday before holding its final meeting in Albany on Dec. 17.
State law allows for up to four licenses in three upstate regions: along the Pennsylvania border near Binghamton, the Capital Region around Albany, and the Hudson Valley/Catskills region. No region can receive more than two licenses.
The Hudson Valley/Catksills region is the most competitive region, accounting for nine of the casinos.
Lee Park, a spokesman for the state Gaming Commission, said public support is among the factors that committee members must consider in deciding where to locate a casino.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/exclusive-foes-rip-1-5b-sterling-forest-casino-bid-article-1.2038717
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment