Manhattan Casino Plan Near UN Rejected

The proposed Freedom Plaza casino, planned for a site near the United Nations on Manhattan's East Side, has been rejected by a Community Advisory Committee. This marks the third Manhattan casino proposal to be rejected in under a week, highlighting significant community opposition.

Key Concerns:

The rejection stems from widespread concerns voiced by residents, business owners, and workers regarding:

• Increased congestion: Traffic and overcrowding worries were central to the opposition.
• Public safety: Concerns about potential crime and safety issues related to a casino's presence were voiced.
• Quality of life impacts: Residents expressed worry about the overall impact a casino would have on their neighborhood's quality of life.

Official Statement:

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, City Council Member Keith Powers, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein released a statement supporting the CAC's decision, emphasizing the thorough community input process and the community's voiced concerns.

They expressed their intention to work with the Soloviev Group to develop the site for affordable housing, green spaces, and good-paying jobs instead.

This rejection underscores the significant political challenges facing casino development in Manhattan, with politicians expressing strong reservations about the impact of casinos in their borough. The focus now shifts to alternative plans for the site, potentially prioritizing community-focused development projects.