The Avenir and Freedom Plaza Hold First Community Advisory Committee Hearings

The next step in the New York casino licensing process is underway as the first two Community Advisory Committee (CAC) hearings were held for The Avenir and Freedom Plaza casino bids in Manhattan.

The first hearing of one of eight CACs took place on July 16 for the Avenir bid in Manhattan’s West Side.

Representatives from Silverstein Properties, Rush Street Gaming, and Greenwood Gaming outlined their vision for the proposed casino resort and highlighted Silverstein’s community ties.

The second CAC meeting followed on July 17 for Freedom Plaza on the East Side of Manhattan.

Developer Soloviev Group and its casino partner, Mohegan Gaming, promised permanent affordable housing, community-directed funding, public park control, and job creation backed by union support.

The Avenir Emphasizes Community, Housing, and Safety

While architectural details, including a 1,000-room Hyatt hotel and a 200,000 sq. ft. casino, were referenced, the focus remained on community integration, economic development, and public benefit.

Silverstein Highlights West Side Ties

Dara McQuillan, Head of Marketing and Communications for Silverstein Properties, emphasized the company’s long-standing ties to the West Side.

That includes two buildings in the neighborhood, which house 2,300 families and 4,000 people. McQuillan called those people “our most important customers,” and added:

“We really want to make sure that everyone who wants to participate in the Avenir project has an opportunity to do so.”

“We all live and work in the communities in which we build and in which we work. So community, as you’ll hear, is important to us.”

McQuillan also highlighted Silverstein’s experience in complex and iconic New York projects, such as rebuilding the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks.

Silverstein CEO Dino Fusco also emphasized that the plan includes the development of 2,000 housing units, 500 of which will be affordable. In partnership with MetroLoft, the company would prioritize sites in the Far West Side. Fusco also announced:

• 5,000 permanent jobs and 4,000 union construction jobs
• Priority hiring for residents in Hell’s Kitchen and Silver Towers/River Place
• A partnership with Rethink Food to redistribute excess meals to food-insecure residents
• A proposed $1 million annual community fund, overseen by the community board

Rush Street Addresses Traffic and Crime Concerns

Rush Street Gaming CEO Tim Drehkoff touted the company’s experience with building casinos in large markets.

He addressed public safety concerns, highlighting that none of the company’s casinos in urban areas, such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Capital Region, have led to increased crime rates.

Drehkoff said that Rush Street will deploy 300 on-site security staff and will partner with the NYPD on a police outpost.

Regarding traffic concerns, Drehkoff and Fusco said a free shuttle service for neighborhood residents is planned to improve subway access. They highlighted that the area would have “great connectivity” with 11 subway lines within a 10-minute radius.

Additionally, the project’s location enables it to bypass traffic from commuter buses or “party shuttles.” Instead, it would cater to tourists, business travelers, and VIPs.

According to Nancy Ruddy, Co-Founder of architectural firm CetraRuddy, who presented the building’s design, the project will focus on pedestrian access and minimize traffic impact through internal loading docks and setbacks from the street.

CAC Members Raise Housing and Transit Concerns

Several CAC members, including newly elected committee chair Matthew Tighe, raised questions about key components of the project, particularly the housing commitment.

Tighe, Assemblymember Tony Simone‘s chief of staff, questioned the vague nature of the 2,000-unit housing promise. He said that the committee may need to consider whether such an open-ended promise qualifies under the evaluation criteria.

Richard Gottfried, a former State Assembly member and Sen. Hoylman-Sigal’s appointee, emphasized that the committee must carefully coordinate with other CACs, especially with Ceasars Times Square bid, due to overlapping geography.

Other CAC members addressed concerns about transit congestion, given the site’s proximity to the Lincoln Tunnel. Additional questions centered on the feasibility of a new 7-train infill station at 40th Street and 10th Avenue, which Avenir supports but cannot fund.

In response to the housing questions, Fusco confirmed that the housing pledge is contingent upon receiving a license. He emphasized Silverstein’s track record of office-to-residential conversions, including a recent 571-unit project in Lower Manhattan.

Freedom Plaza Focuses on Community Ownership, Jobs, and Accessibility

Soloviev CEO Michael Hershman and Mohegan executives emphasized to the CAC members that Freedom Plaza will not be a Las Vegas-style casino. Instead, it would be a “community-focused integrated resort.”

The project representatives emphasized that the casino would occupy only 10% of the project’s footprint. The casino would be entirely underground, with no flashing lights or large screens visible from the street.

Hershman and Mohegan Chief Strategy Officer Nelson Parker detailed several significant community-facing commitments, including affordable housing.

They promise 513 permanently affordable units, developed with the New York City Housing Partnership. Other commitments include:

• Community Investment Fund: $5 million upfront plus 2% of annual net gaming profits. That’s estimated to generate $250 million over 20 years, governed by a local nonprofit board.
• Ownership Opportunities: Hershman proposed allowing New York residents and pension funds to invest directly in the project. Estimates suggest that the total will be between $150 million and $180 million in public equity.
• Park Oversight: The developers will maintain the five-acre public park that’s part of the project. However, a community-appointed advisory board will govern it.

Hershman pledged to bind these commitments through a contractual agreement.

Responsible Gaming, Union Support Emphasized

Mohegan CEO Ray Pineault touted the operator’s track record of civic engagement.

He highlighted the company’s 30-year presence in Connecticut and its partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling. He added that a free addiction prevention app is being developed in collaboration with Yale, with plans for similar programs in New York.

Mohegan also emphasized the plan to create 17,000 direct union jobs, which has received strong endorsements from several labor organizations.

John Santos, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU 32BJ, which primarily represents building workers, called the project “an encouraging step forward” in raising labor standards and expanding opportunities for working New Yorkers.

Hotel and Gaming Trades Council President Rich Maroko added that the project offers “real pathways to career development” and “long-term, stable hospitality jobs” in New York.

Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, emphasized that Freedom Plaza would help “working men and women travel the pathway to the middle class.”

Developers Address Traffic and Crime Concerns

As congestion and crime are appearing as key concerns among the Manhattan projects, the development team addressed those topics.

According to Mohegan Chief Strategy Officer Nelson Parker, there will be no curb cuts on First Avenue. All vehicle access will be routed via the FDR service road and directed underground.

Parker added that parking will be underground and the project will rely on shuttles from public transit connections such as Grand Central Station.

In regards of public safety, President of Bryant Park Corporation Dan Biederman said continuous community programming is the key, not policing.

He referenced his experience revitalizing Bryant Park, outlining a strategy that focused on low-intensity, high-frequency activities. They include reading rooms, ping pong, quiet gatherings, and art classes.

Biederman highlighted that while Briant Park previously had 500 felonies a year, it now has virtually none. The same approach would be used for Freedom Plaza.

He emphasized that surrounding communities will have input into programming decisions.

CAC Members Focus on Process, Not Proposals

CAC members did not raise direct questions or concerns regarding the project. Instead, they had several general questions around transparency and inclusiveness.

Rishma Patel inquired about language access and accommodations at public hearings. NYSTEC consultant Narin Sadiki confirmed that translation services and ASL interpretation would be available upon request. Also, different languages will be available if needed.

Sadiki confirmed that there will be at least two more public hearings and a final vote before September 30.

What’s Next?

Each committee must hold two public hearings and a final vote before the mandated September 30 deadline. Future hearings will provide the public with an opportunity to weigh in on the proposals.

To advance, an application must receive a two-thirds majority approval (at least four out of six members).

The Gaming Facility Location Board will then review the applications that advance to the CAC stage for final recommendation. The Board is expected to announce the winners by the end of the year.

According to the Board’s website, as of now, only three of the eight casino applicants have scheduled CAC hearings. In addition to the Avenir and Freedom Plaza, Resorts World New York City will have its first organizational meeting on July 21.

The remaining five applicants (or four if Mayor Adams doesn’t rescue Bally’s bid) have not received a hearing date.

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