New York City Casino Bid on Manhattan’s East Side Says it Has Public Support
Posted on: May 22, 2025, 07:38h.
Last updated on: May 22, 2025, 09:56h.
- Freedom Plaza claims to have majority public support
- The casino project is one of eight remaining bids for downstate New York
- Three casino licenses are available for the region
Three of the eight remaining casino bids for New York’s downstate region will receive a license to operate slot machines, live-dealer table games, and sports betting. The bid for Manhattan’s East Side says new polling shows it has the public’s support.
The Soloviev Group, a real estate development firm best known for its Soloviev Building at 9 W. 57th St., is leading a $10 billion proposal with Mohegan called Freedom Plaza. The integrated resort, which, along with 1,251 hotel rooms, a nearly 300K-square-foot casino floor, and many resort amenities, would include 513 permanently affordable housing units, over 1,000 apartments, and a roughly five-acre public park, believes it has adequate backing from area residents that should persuade the area’s Community Board 6 to endorse the project.
This poll reaffirms what we’ve heard directly from the community — New Yorkers need good paying jobs, open green spaces, and housing options that working families can afford,” said Michael Hershman, Soloviev Group CEO. “As four-generation residents of this area, the Soloviev family is deeply committed to delivering what our neighbors value most and creating a project that will serve the city for generations to come.”
A new poll conducted by Tulchin Research found that among the 600 voters in Manhattan surveyed across the five boroughs, 64% support Freedom Plaza. In Midtown East where Soloviev is seeking to build the destination just south of the United Nations Headquarters, 57% of residents said they like the resort vision.
Wynn, Sands, Saks Sacked
The Freedom Plaza poll comes just days after Wynn Resorts folded on its multibillion-dollar casino scheme with Hudson Yards developer Stephen Ross. Wynn and Ross’ Related Companies cited “persistent opposition” to the $12 billion undertaking that would have overhauled Hudson Yards West.
Wynn’s exit came after Las Vegas Sands abandoned its $5 billion plan on Long Island. Sands credited iGaming discussions in New York for its withdrawal, though it too faced heavy opposition from the local community.
Saks Fifth Avenue had pitched a casino at its flagship Midtown store. The luxury retailer pulled out of the race in April to focus “on other strategic priorities.”
Soloviev and Mohegan say unlike the Wynn and Sands bids, and others that remain in the crowded bidding pool, Freedom Plaza has strong public support. Just 26% of all borough voters oppose its development, per Tulchin, while only four in 10 Midtown East voters don’t want a Las Vegas casino.
“From the outset, Freedom Plaza garners overwhelming support from Manhattan voters,” Tulchin researchers concluded. “Nearly two-thirds approve of the project and its wide-ranging benefits, including more affordable housing for working New Yorkers, a new park, open green space along the East River, a regulated modern gaming facility, thousands of new jobs, and billions in economic activity.”
Freedom Plaza Opposition
The Soloviev-commissioned Tulchin study might have found majority support, but a major hurdle stands in its way. Though it cannot single-handedly block the Freedom Plaza push, Community Board 6, which makes recommendations to the city council about zoning and land-use matters within Manhattan’s East Side, is publicly opposing the project.
“There are significant concerns about a proposed casino’s negative effect on public safety, noise, sanitation, transportation issues, daily over-congestion of people at all hours, and its proximity to schools, green spaces, and hospitals,” the board wrote to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in March 2023 after adopting a resolution in opposition to a casino with a 33-4 vote.
Last Comments ( 1 )
They do not have public support. Community members spoke out during the public proposal and none were positive and most were outraged this is even being proposed. There’s even a petition in the community/ neighborhood against it.