Orange County is in play for getting a casino, County Executive Steve Neuhaus said Friday.
Three of the industry’s biggest players have made multiple site visits to locations in Orange County that they’re targeting for a potential casino, Neuhaus said.
Village of Woodbury Mayor Michael Queenan said Friday afternoon that he sat in on a meeting last week with representatives of The Cordish Companies, a hospitality and gaming company that has built Hard Rock-themed hotels and casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla.
Cordish is interested in the vacant approximately 130-acre site surrounding the Harriman Train Station, Queenan said. The land is zoned for a high-density, transit-centered village featuring restaurants and housing.
Related Stories
Casino giants explore Orange optionsFirm unveils sprawling casino plan for old Grossinger’s siteCatskill Confidential: Cappelli ordered to pay $400K in unfulfilled racino dealShawanga casino plan draws ecological fireCasinos operating in upstate New York by next January? Gov. Cuomo thinks soCasino sites could be picked by fall$350 million casino proposed for Finger Lakes regionSteve Israel: Casinos could also bring museums, college programsTioga Downs officials want casino at its Southern Tier siteSullivan County developer Berman back with new casino plansCASINO WATCH: Saratoga County residents aren’t keen on bringing in a casino Philadelphia casino plan nixed because New York is bringing in gamingCASINO WATCH: Cuomo sees millions in revenue, 10,000 jobs in «game changer» legislation approving possible casinosCASINO WATCH: Ellenville bursting with excitement after casino voteCASINO WATCH: Casino location picks coming quickly
Queenan said he met with Penn National Gaming Friday morning. Penn National Gaming owns and operates more than 20 horse-racing and casino gaming facilities across the country, including the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas.
Queenan said Penn is interested in the Woodbury area, and he said he told them that the area around the train station was one of the only options in the region.
Neuhaus said the Harriman area is a “good attractive spot” because of easy access off highways and its proximity to New York City. The Woodbury Common Premium Outlets also draws huge numbers of tourists to the area each year.
He said casinos will only be built in Orange County if they have the support of their host communities.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140221/BIZ/140229937
