Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioNew York’s downstate casino licensing process continued on September 15, as the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) hearings for Freedom Plaza and Resorts World New York City (RWNY) unfolded just hours apart, showcasing a notable difference in community sentiment.
While Freedom Plaza’s second CAC hearing drew a mix of praise and pushback from nearby Tudor City residents, RWNY’s session in Queens saw support identical to the first CAC hearing in August. Over 50 speakers voiced unanimous support, with no opposition testimony.
Freedom Plaza: Supporters Outnumber Opponents, But Divisions Persist
The Freedom Plaza developers, led by Michael Hershman of the Soloviev Group and Nelson Parker of Mohegan, initiated the meeting with a presentation. They emphasized new traffic mitigation plans and expanded community benefits.
They framed the $11 billion project as a generational investment that could reshape Manhattan’s East Side.
The team emphasized that traffic would go through the FDR Drive service road and East 41st Street. That will result in a minor impact on First Avenue and the nearby hospitals. Additionally, a 24/7 traffic manager would coordinate real-time data with Uber and Waze. Developers said their studies projected only a 3% increase in traffic on First Avenue.
They also announced several new commitments since the first hearing on August 27:
- Increasing affordable housing from 513 to 600 units, with three-bedroom apartments added at the CAC members’ request.
- Pledging $1 million to the Settlement Housing Fund, including support for Tanya Towers.
- Hiring Mick Brown, longtime global security chief at the United Nations, to lead site security.
- Detailing the structure of their $250 million community reinvestment fund, starting with $5 million upon licensing and then 2% of net profits, administered by the National Urban League.
Parker said the plan has “been refined and improved largely because of the many meetings we’ve had with community leaders [and] elected officials… We’ve taken advice. We’ve made changes.”
Supporters Highlight Jobs & Revitalization
Supporters, including local small business owners and Mohegan employees, praised the project for the thousands of jobs and economic impact.
Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, told the committee in a recorded message:
“What’s being proposed here on the east side of Manhattan with Freedom Plaza is on even a grander scale… The fears that are always raised do not match the reality of what happens when a well-planned project is done right.”
In another recorded message, local dry cleaner, Hanz, said: “If I had to spend one extra minute in traffic, that’s a small price to pay for what this project will do for businesses around the area.”
L.J. Fasaro, president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said: “The Mohegan tribe has consistently proven to be a trusted partner within our law enforcement community… They take the steps necessary to make our community safer and stronger.”
Residents Warn of Irreversible Change
Opponents were fewer but firm, primarily longtime residents of Tudor City, who argued that the casino would overwhelm their neighborhood.
Mark Harris said: “At this time, our neighborhood is being threatened again… by an overwhelming casino development.”
Cynthia Harris added: “We don’t want it. We know this is David and Goliath, but we’re fighting… This is totally unacceptable, and we want you to know very clearly we do not want this casino in our area.”
Resorts World NYC Hearing: Wall of Support, No Opposition
Across town, RWNY’s second CAC hearing showed none of that division.
Developers summarized their expansion plans, highlighting traffic mitigation efforts and the inclusion of approximately 7,300 parking spaces, mostly covered.
They touted their diversity initiatives and endorsements from leaders of diversity organizations. Furthermore, the team highlighted that the Resorts World Career Center, located at Jamaica Station, and the Resorts World Dealer Experience Center, situated in the casino lobby, will launch on September 16.
They also highlighted funding pledges:
- Reiterated a $425 million community package in the first five years. Kevin Jones, RWNY’s Chief Strategy and Legal Officer, highlighted that it will arrive “before some even put a shovel in the ground.”
- An announcement of a new $600,000 grant for the Flushing workforce development. The project will create 3,000 workforce housing units at the former Flushing Airport site. “People will be living there before others can get a shovel in the ground,” Jones said.
- The team announced that it had distributed an additional $100,000 in community grants since the first public hearing.
Unanimous Support Among Testimonies
Over 50 speakers testified, with every single one supporting the project. The roster included local politicians, labor union representatives, and current and former RWNY employees. There were also many representatives from nonprofits and community groups.
Leroy Comrie, New York State Senator, set the tone with the first testimony: “They deserve a full license without a doubt… It would be a travesty if the Commission picks other people than Resorts.”
Nathaniel H., deputy chief of staff to US House Representative Gregory Meeks, read a statement on the congressman’s behalf, highlighting the jobs RWNY would create:
“Proposal that can deliver transformative benefits to southeast Queens and New York as a whole… This expansion will create 24,000 jobs: 5,000 union construction jobs that will come online sooner than any other proposal, 5,000 permanent jobs, a majority of which will be filled by Queens residents.”
Joseph Addabbo Jr., New York State Senator, emphasized RWNY’s support of the community:
“They promised educational funds… Resorts World was there. During Sandy, Resorts World was there for us… During COVID, Resorts World was there for us then… They’ve always been there for our community. So this is not a risk for this CAC to vote on, this is a proven commodity for Ozone Park, for New York.”
Contrasting Trajectories
The dual hearings revealed two competing casino bids on different public paths.
Freedom Plaza’s session was calmer than the first hearing, but it still experienced opposition from some residents. In contrast, RWNY received another hearing marked by political and community unity around the operator, seen as a “proven commodity.”
Both bids now await the final vote by their six-member CACs on whether they will advance to the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board. The Board will review all eligible applications. It will then make a final recommendation on which of the eight candidates will receive the three downstate New York casino licenses.
