New York: $2.3B proposal MGM Empire City Casino project faces key vote in the middle of high stakes and local division

The future of the MGM Empire City Casino in Yonkers could be decided this Thursday, September 25, as the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) prepares to vote on a $2.3 billion proposal that would expand the facility into a full-scale casino and entertainment complex.

The CAC’s decision will determine whether the project advances to the New York State Gaming Commission’s Facility Location Board for final consideration. A “yes” vote would keep MGM’s bid alive in the race for up to three coveted downstate casino licenses, while a “no” would eliminate it from contention, and possibly signal the eventual closure of the Yonkers facility altogether.

MGM Empire City is one of five proposals still in the running following the rejection of two major Manhattan projects earlier this week. The CACs for Caesars Palace Times Square and The Avenir both voted 4–2 against advancing those bids, eliminating them from the competition.

The remaining contenders include MGM in Yonkers, Resorts World New York City in Queens, Bally’s Bronx, The Coney in Brooklyn, and Freedom Plaza in Manhattan. At a September 16 public hearing held at Yonkers Montessori Academy, MGM’s proposal drew vocal support from elected officials, employees, and local unions.

Rendering of the proposed casino

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano addressed the risks of losing Empire City altogether if the project fails. “We all know that if we don’t get this license, that Yonkers couldn’t possibly compete with the other casinos as just a racino,” Spano testified. “In which case, if we don’t get this license, our track would probably close.”

The expanded project, if approved, would include a remodeled casino, a 5,100-seat entertainment venue, and thousands of new jobs. According to MGM’s application, the project would generate 6,500 construction jobs and more than 2,000 permanent positions. Taryn Duffy, president of Tarsam Public Affairs and a former MGM executive, previously presented these benefits to the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.

John Cooney, Jr., of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, warned in a recent op-ed that a rejection could lead to the loss of 700 existing jobs, $88 million in wages, and $300 million annually for New York’s public schools. “There is no viable future for Empire City under those conditions,” Cooney wrote.

Still, not all residents are convinced. While many attendees supported the project, others who live near the site expressed concerns about traffic congestion, flooding, and strain on local infrastructure.

Some pointed out that Empire City’s prior upgrades had made similar promises, with little improvement to neighborhood conditions. Jerry Longarzo, a Yonkers resident, urged caution. “We need a clear plan and a rock solid commitment that the casino expansion does not worsen these conditions, but rather contributes to long-overdue improvements,” he said.

Rendering of the proposed casino

Critics also noted that MGM’s investment is the smallest among all applicants. Others questioned whether the proposal truly addresses long-standing community issues or simply recycles promises made in the past.

The upcoming CAC vote requires a two-thirds majority to pass, meaning at least four out of five members must approve. As the only project among the eight initial applicants operating on an existing gaming site, MGM holds a speed-to-market advantage.