The Bronx contender for a coveted casino license in New York moved forward on Monday, overcoming significant opposition from residents to become the second bid in New York City to survive this critical step.
The project, the Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point Park, has prevailed despite an earlier rejection by the City Council for an essential zoning change for the site, which was vetoed by Mayor Eric Adams. A local committee will vote on another bid from New York City, the Coney in Brooklyn, later on Monday.
If Bally’s Bronx is awarded one of the three licenses, it would have to pay $115 million to the Trump Organization as part of a deal the two groups signed in 2023. It would be in addition to the $60 million that Bally’s paid the Trump Organization that year to buy the rights to operate at the location, which had been a Trump Links golf course.
Five of the six members of the local advisory committee voted in favor of Bally’s Bronx, with the supporters focusing on the gambling giant’s commitment of $27.5 million in annual community investments. The $4 billion project would include a resort and casino on 16 acres near the base of the Whitestone Bridge.
“It is my judgment that support in the community exceeds opposition and that the benefits can outweigh harms,” said Lisa Sorin, a representative who is also the president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Danielle Volpe, who cast the only “no” vote, said that if opposition from residents was responsible for the defeat of three casino applicants in Manhattan, the committee should have made the same decision for Bally’s Bronx. Community Board 10 in the Bronx, which includes Ferry Point Park, overwhelmingly voted against the Bally’s bid in the spring.
“The Bronx needs meaningful economic development, but it should not come at the cost of exploiting our community and our borough,” Ms. Volpe said. “What is being offered to us through this casino proposal is not worth the burden it would place on the Bronx.”
Bally’s Bronx is the third entrant to advance past their local committees, joining bids from MGM Resorts in Yonkers and Resorts World in Queens. In addition to the Coney, the final proposal, the Metropolitan near Citi Field, will be considered by its committee on Tuesday.
The proposals that are approved will be voted on in early December by another group, the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board, and then later in the month by its Gaming Commission.
Matthew Haag is a Times reporter covering the New York City economy and the intersection of real estate and politics in the region.
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