Coney Island’s Casino Proposal Faces Tough Scrutiny
Brooklyn’s Coney Island, synonymous with East Coast summer fun, aims to reclaim its status as an entertainment hub with its ambitious proposal for The Coney, a $3.4 billion mixed-use casino development. Advocates emphasize that Coney Island “just makes sense” for such a project.
On Wednesday, stakeholders from Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, and the Chickasaw Nation delivered an extensive presentation for the initiative. Currently, the project is navigating through the community advisory committee phase, which will conclude by September 30.
The Coney is competing among eight bids for just three available casino licenses in downstate New York. Despite initial setbacks, Bally’s Corp’s Bronx proposal was revived by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who vetoed a recent rezoning vote, allowing for another chance at city council approval.
To proceed further, each project needs a two-thirds majority from its local committee by September 30. For The Coney, this translates to securing four out of six votes from committee members, which should reflect the community’s sentiment rather than personal opinions.
Addressing Coney Island’s Needs
Aesthetically, The Coney stands out with its vibrant colors and fluid design that evoke a theme park atmosphere, diverging from conventional glitzy resorts. The modern renditions carry an old-time carnival vibe, adding to Coney Island’s nostalgic charm. If approved, the project aims to commence construction in June 2026, aiming for completion by June 2029.
Stakeholders identified three critical issues the project aims to address: transforming Coney Island into a year-round destination, enhancing public safety, and generating local employment. Peter McEneaney from Thor highlighted the potential for the project to create 4,000 construction jobs and 4,500 permanent positions, noting the area’s current 17% unemployment rate, which is significantly higher than the national average.
Casino Workforce
The casino’s partners include Saratoga and the Chickasaws via their Global Gaming Solutions division. Paul Pippin, COO of Global Gaming Solutions, shared insights on their commitment to local economies. He emphasized that their goal extends beyond merely establishing casinos; they aim to enrich local communities as well.
The proposal also involves Legends Hospitality, known for managing event operations. This collaboration aims to bring an ongoing set of events to a 2,400-seat venue at the casino site. It’s touted as the largest private investment in southern Brooklyn’s history, fully financed and ready for immediate commencement.
To bolster community relations, the partnerships enlisted Robert Cornegy Jr., formerly a city council member. He highlighted that The Coney has conducted over 500 local outreach meetings and collected over 10,000 signatures from local residents in support of the project.
Concerns from the Community
The Q&A session during the hearing was notably dynamic, particularly due to CAC member Marissa Solomon’s active participation. Unlike previous presentations that received limited feedback, Solomon engaged the officials robustly, especially concerning workforce commitments. She raised concerns that only 9% of the jobs would come from the local area, questioning the true economic impact on the community.
Solomon’s critical queries caught the project representatives off guard, who could only reply that the collaborative process might usher in changes. These issues are likely to resurface as the advisory committee conducts further public hearings before casting their votes.
