Foxwoods unveils details of USD 400M Catskills resort casino

“It's a project,” said Muss' Chief Operating Officer Jeff Kay and Foxwoods Catskills Resort President Sal Semola, that's designed to fit in with the woodsy, Catskill mountaintop setting that drew thousands to Grossinger's during the region's heyday.

"This is first and foremost a resort," Semola said. "It just happens to be a casino."If Monday's crowd is any indication, the project enjoys plenty of local support — especially from the electrical union workers who packed the crowd."I've seen projects done by Muss in the city and they're fabulous," said longtime Liberty resident and decades-long supporter of the elusive Sullivan County casino, Evan Bloom. "I actually think this could happen. The players are for real."

Still, the project faces stiff competition — and lengthy state and local reviews — before it can become reality. The Foxwoods Catskills Resort Casino is one of at least six contenders for the up to two Catskill casinos allowed by state law. A total of four upstate casinos will be chosen in three regions — the Capital/Saratoga region, the Southern Tier and the Catskills/Hudson Valley, with one region, receiving two. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said the selections will be made in the fall.

One of the other contenders for a Catskill casino is developer Louis Cappelli's slice of the old Concord resort. Cappelli, who also owns the original Grossinger's property, just signed an agreement with Foxwoods and Muss that allows the Foxwoods Catskill Resort Casino to use the Grossinger's entrance and its golf course. Muss owns the 600 acres adjacent to the crumbling hotel, which will be demolished.

Cappelli, who's been trying to build a casino at his Concord resort property near Monticello for more than a decade, will not try to build one at Grossinger's.