Local residents gather to discuss the implications of urban development in the Bronx
The Bronx City Council voted 29-9 against a $4 billion casino project by Bally’s Corp., halting its development. Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato cited insufficient community benefits and lack of trust from developers as key reasons for the vote. The proposed casino faced significant opposition amid concerns about traffic, crime, and loss of public parkland. Despite local Democratic Party support, the council’s decision reflects ongoing debates about community trust, urban development, and economic growth in the Bronx.
Bronx – The City Council voted 29-9 against necessary land-use changes for a proposed $4 billion casino project by Bally’s Corp., effectively halting the development in the Bronx. The vote included four abstentions and was spearheaded by Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, a Republican from the East Bronx. This decision eliminates Bally’s participation in New York’s state-led casino licensing process, decreasing the pool of contenders to seven operators.
Bally’s chairman expressed disappointment, noting that the company had previously addressed community benefit requests. The land-use changes were essential for the project’s progression, and their rejection indicates that further development efforts are improbable. Bally’s planned to establish a substantial, three-million-square-foot facility on the site of the former Trump Links golf course.
Marmorato emphasized that the project lacked sufficient community benefits and noted the developers’ failure to build local trust. Despite the strong backing of the Bronx County Democratic Party towards the casino initiative, the majority of local council members voted against it. Councilman Rafael Salamanca, the chair of the land-use committee, had advocated for support, highlighting the potential economic development benefits for the Bronx.
The council’s decision reflects a tradition of member deference, where representatives typically align with local perspectives in land-use matters. Notably, Mayor Eric Adams previously intervened to support the Bally’s proposal by facilitating approval for a “home-rule message” regarding the development of parkland.
The Bally’s casino project was set to include a 500-room hotel and a 500,000-square-foot casino space, representing a significant investment in the local economy. However, the project faced backlash due to its ties to Donald Trump’s organization, which would have generated $115 million annually from the casino’s operations. Critics raised concerns about potential increases in traffic and crime and the privatization of public parkland.
Marmorato argued against the notion that the project would foster genuine economic development, pointing out the absence of housing and healthcare facilities in the proposal. In a contrasting effort, Bally’s Foundation acquired Preston High School, illustrating the company’s intention to invest in community resources.
Bally’s had promised substantial economic incentives, including the creation of 4,000 permanent union jobs with an average salary of $96,000 per year and improvements to local infrastructure. Nonetheless, widespread community opposition emerged, driven in part by the controversy surrounding the use of parkland, despite some public support for the casino. The council’s decision not to adhere to member deference underscores the complexities of casino proposals and the local concerns associated with urban development in the Bronx.
As the local council continues to navigate the intricate landscape of development projects, the rejection of Bally’s casino proposal serves as a pivotal decision in the borough’s ongoing discussions regarding economic growth, community trust, and the use of public land.
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