State casino selection commission selects Empire Resorts’ project ALBANY – The State Gaming Facility Location Board Wednesday recommended Empire Resorts’ gaming casino proposal as the only one in the Hudson Valley/Catskills region. “It’s a great day for Empire Resorts, the resilient residents of Sullivan County, and our co-developer EPR Properties,” said Empire’s Chairman Emanuel Pearlman. He said they hope to break ground as soon as possible after receiving all final regulatory approvals. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburg) said the choice will put Sullivan County on the map once and for all and be an economic boost for Sullivan, Ulster and Orange counties. Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson said the selection will be “transformational” for the entire region. Thompson Town Supervisor William Rieber, Jr. said Wednesday “is the first day of Sullivan County’s re-birth as a first-class resort destination.” Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said it is “truly disappointing news for the Hudson Valley” that the Nevele project was not chosen. A total of nine proposals were advanced in Sullivan, Ulster and Orange counties. They included a second one in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan, one in Wawarsing in Ulster and six in Orange County. The board dismissed all of Orange County’s proposals saying any of them would negatively impact the potential for a casino in Sullivan or Ulster County. While the commission could have selected four casinos in three regions of the state, it decided to select one in each area. Empire Resorts currently owns and operates Monticello Casino – a racino with electronic gaming, and Monticello Raceway in nearby Monticello. It plans to build its new facility at the former Concord Hotel site in Kiamesha Lake in partnership with EPR Entertainment, which owns the thousands of acres of property at the site. The casino resort is going to be called Montreign Resort and Casino at Adelaar and include a gaming casino, hotel, conference center, resort, restaurants and other amenities,
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 20:38:50 +0000