Local leaders in Garden City vote to officially stand against proposed Nassau casino

Las Vegas Sands says the project would bring jobs and tax revenue.

News 12 Staff

Feb 22, 2023, 1:46 AM

Updated 592 days ago

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The Garden City Village Board voted to take an official stand against a proposed casino at the Nassau Hub.
The vote was a symbolic gesture, but community members hope it sends a strong message to the developers and county officials that they don't want a casino in their neighborhood.
The proposal by Las Vegas Sands would have an entertainment complex at the Nassau Coliseum site - including a casino, a hotel and an event space.
The developer says the project would bring jobs and tax revenue.
Those against the project say they are worried about increases in traffic and crime with negative impacts on students at nearby colleges.
Pearl Jacobs, of the Nostrand Gardens Civic Association, that money cannot be put above young people's future.
"It's not good for our community, it's not good for Nassau County," Jacobs says. "Those casinos bring in crime."
News 12 received a statement from Las Vegas Sands about the vote, saying, "We look forward to continuing conversations with the village of Garden City and all interested individuals to ensure that this integrated resort is a benefit to everyone."
Some who came to the meeting, however, are betting that the proposed casino would be a success.
"You're creating jobs and you're bringing money into Long Island," says Raymond Nieves, of Hempstead. "That's what we need."
Those at Tuesday's meeting hope to form a coalition of villages and elected officials against the casino project. It's not clear if any other villages are opposed to the plan.
The Nassau County Legislature will decide the fate of the proposed casino project.
New York would also grant one of only a few available casino licenses to Las Vegas Sands.