Sands took the first step (or two) towards securing one of the three downstate licenses in New York. Their environmental plan has been approved by the legislature, and will now go before the public for review.
The Nassau County Legislature will hold a public hearing on December 9 about the proposed multibillion-dollar Las Vegas Sands casino resort.
Last month, Sands submitted a 28,000-page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to the legislature. The legislative body reviewed the document and confirmed that it addresses all required topics.
The public can review and comment on the document, which is now available on the Nassau legislature’s website, until January 6.
Several Groups Voice Casino Concerns
This process began when opposition to the casino plan surfaced. Representatives from Hofstra University, Kellenberg High School, and the Village of Garden City, expressed concerns about potential increases in crime, gambling addiction, traffic, and environmental issues. A group called “Say No To The Casino” has also joined the fight.
Despite these concerns, a 99-year lease agreement between Las Vegas Sands and Nassau County was already in place. Hofstra sued Nassau County, arguing that the county's Planning Commission violated the state Open Meetings Law by not properly notifying the public about a meeting on the lease.
A Supreme Court judge upheld this claim and required an environmental study to be completed. Now, the public has an opportunity to review the study's findings.
Roads To Be Widened and Bridges Built
To mitigate the concerns, the DEIS calls for more than $150 million in improvements.
According to the DEIS, the busy roads near the Charles Lindbergh Boulevard Meadowbrook Parkway interchange disrupt the wildlife habitat in the area, reducing its value significantly. As a result, removing small parts of this area to improve traffic flow won't significantly harm local wildlife or their habitats.
The mitigation measures also include adding a lane to parts of the Meadowbrook Parkway. Additionally, the plans involve reconstructing bridges over the Meadowbrook to reduce congestion.
These improvements won't require acquiring additional land but will need state approval.
A gambling addiction support center is also included in the plan, but Say No To The Casino is not happy with what they see.
The group released a statement, saying: “Even with a few segments of extra lanes, our parkways will not be able to handle the massive increase in traffic that LVS expects, and we have no feasible mass transit alternative. And (the casino) will create an addiction crisis in our community that will put tremendous strain on our mental health and social services.”
What the Sands Resort Plan Includes
The resort proposal would transform the current Nassau County Coliseum property—currently dominated by expansive asphalt and largely vacant parking areas around an underutilized Coliseum—into a premier regional entertainment and hospitality destination.
This redevelopment will feature gaming, luxury hotels, meeting spaces, a live performance venue, and diverse dining and supportive experiences.
The proposed conceptual master plan for the Sands New York includes:
- Two new hotels offering a total of 1,670 rooms, along with a spa, fitness center, and pools
- A casino with 393,726 square feet of gaming space
- 147,292 square feet of dining facilities with 3,337 seats
- 213,000-square-foot conference center
- 4,500-seat arena/live performance venue
- 60,000-square-foot public attraction space
- 31,200 square feet of retail space
- Three parking garages
The lease agreement also stipulates that if the existing on-site veterans memorial is removed or demolished by the Lessee, the Lessee must finance and construct a new veterans memorial at a minimum cost of $1 million.
What’s Next in the Approval Process?
Keep in mind, this is just one step in the process. Even if the Nassau Planning Commission and the county legislature eventually approve a lease for the property, the casino will still need to secure state approval for a gaming license.
There are roughly a dozen bidders for three licenses, so the competition is fierce and the decisions aren't expected until the end of next year.
