NYC Mayor overturns City Council ruling, allowing Bally's casino proposal in the Bronx to progress
The Bally's casino project in the Bronx, New York City, is moving forward after Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the City Council's rejection of the rezoning needed for the casino's development at Ferry Point Park [2][3][5].
The $4 billion casino resort, which includes a 500,000 sq ft casino, a 500-room hotel, a 2,000-seat event center, and infrastructure improvements, was met with opposition by the City Council two weeks ago when they rejected the rezoning application [1][3]. However, Adams' veto has demonstrated his support for the project, which is currently the only casino proposal located in the Bronx [1][2][3][5].
The veto overturned the Council's denial, allowing Bally's to continue pursuing its development plans pending further regulatory steps and approvals [2][3][5]. The project, which is yet to reveal a timeline for its opening, is still facing challenges such as criticism for its discreet location in Ferry Point, modest scale compared to competitors, and financial constraints [1].
The decision to veto was made on Wednesday, and in a statement, Adams stated that he was trying to even the playing field for Bally's so it could go on to compete for a state license [6]. Local councilwoman Kristy Marmorato has been fiercely opposed to the project, using a practice called member deference to convince the council to vote against it [7].
No further information is available about the council's current stance on the Bally's casino project or the timeline for its opening. The state approved the necessary parkland alienation legislation earlier, and the project still requires key city approvals for land use and further steps before breaking ground [1][3].
References:
- New York Post
- CBS New York
- The New York Times
- Gothamist
- Spectrum News NY1
- WNBC
- Politico New York
- Despite opposition from the City Council, Mayor Eric Adams' veto in favor of the Bally's casino project signifies the involvement of politics in the development of the casino-and-gambling business in the Bronx, New York City.
- The Bally's casino project, a proposed $4 billion development that includes a casino, hotel, event center, and infrastructure improvements, is not only significant for the finance industry but also for the general news, given the controversy surrounding its rezoning and location in Ferry Point Park.
- The vetoed rejection of the Bally's casino project by the City Council has sparked discussions within the business sector and politics, as local councilwoman Kristy Marmorato continues to fight against the project, while Mayor Adams supports it, aiming to enable the project to compete for a state license.
