Community panel squashes Freedom Plaza casino proposed near United Nations headquarters

"A key community panel on Monday rejected plans for a casino next to the United Nations, marking the third casino plan to fail in Manhattan and ensuring no casino will be built in the borough in the immediate future. The rejection of the Freedom Plaza proposal, by a 4-2 vote, came despite last-minute sweeteners by the developer, who promised all of the housing created on site would be affordable. Separate community advisory committees last week rejected proposed casinos in Times Square and Hudson Yards."

"State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, who represents the area, said in a statement she supported the committee's decision. As with those votes, the only committee members who voiced support for the Freedom Plaza application were appointees of Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams. The project, located along the East River, was jointly developed by Soloviev Group and Mohegan. The developers did not immediately comment on the rejection of their project."

"State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, who represents the area, said in a statement she supported the committee's decision. "For almost two years now, community members have sent a clear message: They do not want to see a casino on this site," she said. "Today's vote was the result of deep community organizing and proves we can have a land use process that puts people over profit.""

A community panel voted 4-2 to reject the Freedom Plaza casino proposal next to the United Nations, marking the third failed casino plan in Manhattan and preventing immediate casino development in the borough. Developers offered last-minute concessions, including a promise that all housing created on site would be affordable, but the measures did not change the outcome. Separate community advisory committees recently rejected casino proposals for Times Square and Hudson Yards. Only committee members appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams supported the Freedom Plaza application. The project was jointly developed by Soloviev Group and Mohegan, and the developers did not immediately comment. State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez expressed support for the committee decision.

Read at Gothamist