News Summary
The Freedom Plaza casino proposal near the UN headquarters in Manhattan was rejected by the Community Advisory Committee, with a vote of 4-2 against the project. Voiced concerns over impacts on local traffic and businesses contributed to the decision. The project aimed to include hotels, affordable housing, and a park, but critics worried it could negatively affect the community’s character. This marks a trend of skepticism toward casino developments in Manhattan as several other proposals also face rejection.
New York—The proposed Freedom Plaza casino in Manhattan near the United Nations headquarters was decisively rejected by a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) vote on September 22, 2025. The committee voted 4-2 against the plan, which was spearheaded by the Mohegan Tribe, known for operating Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. This outcome confirms that Manhattan will not be home to a casino.
The planned Freedom Plaza would have been constructed on First Avenue between 38th and 41st Street, featuring two hotels, 500 affordable homes, a 4.7-acre park, and a museum. The vote, conducted at 10 a.m. and streamed live on YouTube, was part of a broader review process for casino proposals in the city.
Freedom Plaza was one of six proposals competing for three available downstate casino licenses. In the week leading up to the Freedom Plaza vote, community members also rejected other proposals, such as Caesars Palace in Times Square and Avenir in Hudson Yards, reflecting a trend of skepticism towards casino developments in Manhattan.
Alongside the defeated proposals, five downstate casino projects remain in contention: Bally’s Bronx, The Coney in Brooklyn, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Metropolitan Park at Citi Field, and Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens. Each proposal now requires local CAC approval before they can be evaluated by New York’s Gaming Facility Location Board, which is due by September 30, 2025.
Previous casino proposals in Manhattan, particularly those aimed at the Times Square area, faced significant backlash from local Broadway producers and community members concerned about increased traffic congestion and the negative impact on local businesses. Developers had projected that the Freedom Plaza project could ultimately generate approximately $7 billion for the city and state while creating thousands of jobs and enhancing the local economy.
Following the CAC’s decision, SL Green CEO Marc Holliday expressed criticism of the committee’s ruling, describing it as “despicable” and indicative of a “display of cowardice.” Additionally, a spokesperson for Caesars expressed disappointment but reiterated the company’s commitment to investing in New York and maintaining partnerships within the state. The neighboring Avenir project’s rejection paralleled that of Freedom Plaza as the CAC proceeded with voting despite requests for a postponement from the developer.
Opponents of the casino proposals raised concerns about how such developments might exacerbate issues related to traffic and public safety rather than contribute to necessary local revitalization efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and representatives from labor unions, voiced their disappointment over the failed casino proposals, pointing out the significant potential for job creation and tax revenue that the projects promised.
The Freedom Plaza project was estimated to yield 2,736 permanent jobs and generate around $10.1 billion in tax revenue over a 30-year period. However, community members opposed to the casino project voiced strong concerns regarding the impact on the prestige of the area, fearing that a casino would compromise the character and community fabric.
The CAC’s vote against Freedom Plaza reflects a broader unease among committee members regarding the introduction of casinos into Manhattan’s landscape. As of now, with five proposals remaining, stakeholders will continue to watch closely as the community deliberates the future of casino licensing in the downstate region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Manhattan
- CBS News
- Google Search: Freedom Plaza Casino Manhattan
- New York Daily News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Casino
- NBC New York
- Google News: Casino proposals in Manhattan
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
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