Resorts World New York City (RWNYC), the leading hotel and casino that is among the bidders for one out of three new downstate New York casino licenses, presented its vision to build the largest fully integrated resort in the state.
If Resorts World obtains one of the three coveted licenses, it would initiate the $5.5bn project
Recognizing this as a "once-in-a-generation plan," Resorts World presented its ambitious project to the six-person Community Advisory Committee (CAC) only recently.
Considering that the proposal is the largest of all bids in terms of build area, site size and casino-floor area, the proposal from RWNYC plans to transform the existing 73-acre Aqueduct site.
This transformation would cost the mind-blowing sum of $5.5bn and upon completion of the project, Resorts World is expected to be the home of the single-largest entertainment hub in New York.
The multi-billion-dollar entertainment hub would house 6,000 slot machines, 800 gaming tables, as well as 2,000 hotel rooms.
Not unexpectedly, the large-scale integrated resort would also offer an arena with 7,000 seats, more than 7,000 parking spaces and nearly three dozen food and beverage outlets, along with a range of other amenities.
Kevin Jones, Resorts World's Chief Legal and Strategy Officer, spoke during the recent presentation in front of CAC officials, Casino Guru News learned from a press release.
"When it comes to completion and operational risk, Resorts World New York City stands uniquely as almost risk-free," the executive said.
Robert DeSalvio, Genting Americas East's President, added: "We're proud to have grown with the Queens community for nearly 15 years. What the Community Advisory Committee heard today was a vision for a transformative project that will be a game-changer for this borough, the city, and the state."
Moreover, the executive spoke about Resorts World's investments, estimated in millions of dollars, in local neighborhoods and the creation of thousands of new jobs.
DeSalvio noted that since Resorts World acquired the operations of the Aqueduct in 2010, it has built "everlasting bonds with the community."
Finally, he said: "But we also made them a promise to do more in every sense of the term, and today's proposal lays out just how we will."
The ambitious redevelopment can be completed swiftly
Currently, RWNYC is the largest employer for the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, AFL-CIO and more than 1,000 members receive full benefits and average salaries of $80,000.
More than 80% of the venue's employees are people of color and close to half are women.
Notably, many of RWNYC's employees live within five miles of the venue. This helps keep salaries in the local community.
The redevelopment of the Aqueduct site is expected to create up to 24,000 jobs and generate millions of dollars of tax revenue.
One of the main advantages of Resorts World's bid is its ability to quickly complete the project.
If the operator receives the coveted license, it estimates it would be able to open the reimagined venue as early as July 2026, considering it has already secured the required land-use approvals and it is ready to begin construction.
