"The Freedom Plaza development, which also called for hotels, retail, dining, entertainment and housing, was denied by a state-commissioned community advisory committee on a 4-2 vote Monday. Committee members, who were appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and other local politicians, cast their votes with barely any discussion, other than to thank the applicants for their time and responsiveness."
"In a last minute bid to gain local support, the developers announced over the weekend they would commit to making the more than 1,000 residential units proposed for the project permanently affordable. They had earlier proposed other community investments, such as a museum dedicated to democracy, a community center, a daycare and acres of public open space."
"Michael Hershman, CEO of the Soloviev Group that was the lead developer on the more than $11 billion project, said their vision would have "revitalized" Midtown East. "Manhattan is the undisputed capital of the world, and it deserved a fully integrated resort that would have attracted visitors while serving the needs of its community," he said in a statement. Spokespersons for Mohegan Sun, the tribe-owned casino company based in Connecticut, didn't immediately respond to email seeking comment. The project, spanning more than six acres from 38th Street to 41st Street east of First Avenue, had been the last remaining proposal under consideration for Manhattan."
A community advisory committee voted 4-2 to deny the Freedom Plaza proposal, which would have included a Mohegan Sun casino plus hotels, retail, dining, entertainment and housing. Developers offered last-minute concessions, pledging to make over 1,000 residential units permanently affordable and proposing a museum, community center, daycare and public open space. The lead developer said the more than $11 billion project would have revitalized Midtown East and attracted visitors while serving the community. Mohegan Sun representatives did not immediately comment. The Freedom Plaza proposal was the last remaining Manhattan submission for lucrative New York City gambling licenses.
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