The City Council voted to reject a land-use change for Bally’s to open a casino at the Bronx golf property formerly operated by President Trump’s company — effectively killing the bid for a gaming license.
For the bid to proceed with the state for a casino license, the City Council must approve redesignating the Ferry Point parkland property for use as a casino.
Twenty-nine council members voted to reject the change on Monday, while just nine others supported it and others abstained.
Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, a Republican who represents neighborhoods surrounding the site, opposed the measure.
“If I make a promise to my community, I follow through. We won’t win every battle, but we will
always fight for what’s right,” Marmorato said.
Marmorato said she stood with opponents opposed to the $4 billion project, despite last-minute offers from Bally’s.
“[Monday’s] outcome proves that when we stand united—across party lines and with our constituents —we win,” Marmorato said.
“Council members have their own individual perspectives on the value of potential casinos in New York City, which contributed to their votes on whether to support or oppose this land use application for a proposed casino,” said Council spokesperson Mara Davis.
The Council typically — but not always — sides with the position of the local council member on land issues in his or her district.
Bally’s acquired the lease for the property from the Trump Organization with a grand plan to open a casino as well as operate a golf course.
The gaming company was a victim of not-in-my-backyard opposition from Marmorato, even though the property is not near residences, said Bally’s chairman Soo Kim.
“It was not good faith negotiations,” Kim said.
“No people live next to our golf course.”
The $4 billion project would have been the largest economic development program in The Bronx.
Bally’s had agreed to increase a Bronx benefit fund from $10 million to $17.5 million, with a majority of the fund allocated to programs selected by Marmarato.
The company also vowed to address traffic concerns.
Councilman Rafael Salamanca, a supporter of the project, said the Council rejection is a blow to The Bronx.
“This application we’re voting on will not grant Ballys a gaming license…. The State will choose who to award the license,” said Salamanca, who chairs the Council’s land use committee, said during the vote.
“But [Monday’s] yes vote to disapprove will not allow the process to continue and deny the unhealthiest and poorest borough an opportunity to grow its economy and provide jobs.”
The defeat of Bally’s proposal is a plus to seven other bidders vying for up to 3 casino licenses at locations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Yonkers.
For example, Mets owner and Hard Rock International submitted a joint bid to operate an $8 billion casino complex next to the team’s ballpark in Willets Point.
Unlike the Bally’s proposal, the Council approved the land use request to redesignate that parkland property in Queens for use as a casino.
But Queens Francisco Moya, who represents Queens communities around the proposed Queens casino site, supports the Cohen-Hard Rock bid, paving the way for broader Council backing.
After initial resistance, the Council gave the go-ahead for the state Legislature to pass a law allowing Bally’s to use part of the golf course for a betting facility.
But it also required a specific municipal zoning change, and the Council members blocked it.
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