Developers battle it out to build resorts in upstate New York

The Catskills region includes Orange County, where there are five casino proposals, including one on the Sterling Forest property, just 45 miles from Times Square. The state will review proposals and announce the winners later this summer.
 
Foxwoods wants to build at Grossinger’s. At the Concord, two different developers want to create big casino resorts. There’s another proposal at the old Nevele property in Ulster County. But in the struggling Catskill towns, hope is mixing with anxiety.
 
A partnership including Caesars proposed a casino resort adjacent to the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet and the Harriman Metro-North station. “History shows that people will go to the most convenient casino,” said gaming consultant John Sabini. He said licensing a casino in Orange County could doom casinos further north.
 
Lenders would be wary of financing a Catskills casino with a competitor so much closer to New York City.
 
The Cuomo administration wants the casinos up and running quickly — in two or three years — which gives the Sullivan County properties an edge. They already have environmental reviews in hand, while the Orange County properties, “they don’t have environmental review, they don’t have zoning review. All that stuff takes time,” said Sabini.
 
“I’m very hopeful two casinos are going to land right in Sullivan County where I think they belong,” said Sullivan County resident Les Kristt.

New York is looking to maximize casino tax revenue, boost job creation and foster economic development. Each developer will argue why their proposal is solid on all three fronts.