Board Member Rips Coney Island Casino’s “Hellish” Traffic Plan

A proposed casino in Coney Island, New York would create a non-stop “traffic hell” for the surrounding area, an important voter said.

One of six members of the Community Advisory Board that will vote to recommend or warn against the project to the New York Division of Gaming Enforcement, the body that will award three casino operators’ licenses later this year, said that traffic creation from the casino would lead to substantial drawbacks for the local community.

In addition to traffic, the committee member also said that crime would be at risk of increasing.

Not fit for business?

Eight casino groups are competing to receive one of three operator’s licenses that will be made available later this year. The multi-year application process is almost at its final stages, with the Community Advisory Board’s vote being one of the final milestones in the process. 

The Coney Island project – aptly named “The Coney” – has emerged as a viable candidate to receive a license. However, Marissa Solomon, who was appointed by Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, told the New York Post that she foresees several issues awaiting the local area.

“It’s not just going to be the summer of hell. It will be traffic hell all year round, and garbage hell, noise hell, crime hell,” she said. “You’re going to replace a piece of American history to build another casino? It makes no sense for the people who live here.”

Solomon also questioned the developers, Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings and Legends, and the Chickasaw Nation's gaming business entity, on their plans to handle the increase in traffic, suggesting they did not provide the proper solutions following a study.

“Your own transportation study said there would be significant adverse impacts at multiple intersections… and your only mitigation is two new lights and some new stripes? Really?” she asked. “Is that going to be able to handle what your own report says is a complete breakdown in traffic?”

The Coney’s bid for a casino license will not receive a recommendation without a majority vote of approval from the community board.

Response to supposed issues

Project details for The Coney include a $3 billion hotel-casino complex with 500 rooms, a convention center, a 2,400-seat theater, retail stores, dining amenities, and 353,000 square feet of gaming space.

Estimates suggest that the project, if approved, would create 4,500 construction jobs for union workers and 4,000 permanent jobs. The developers also pledged $200 million to a trust fund if the project receives approval and they are granted an operator’s license.

While the plans called for 1,500 on-site parking spaces, they conceded that they would need an additional 912 spots to support the traffic that would be created.

However, a representative for The Coney, per The Post, said that traffic isn’t a major concern. 

“The Coney will make massive once in a lifetime improvements to Coney Island’s transit accessibility after decades of neglect by adopting and improving the Stillwell Ave subway station, easing traffic flow through rerouting streets, aligning traffic lights, hiring traffic cops and funding infrastructure investments like a new ferry,” said former Brooklyn councilman Robert Cornegy.

“In addition, we’re also going to offer discounted or complimentary round-trip subway fares for guests and employees and partner with the MTA to provide express subway service directly from Manhattan to Coney Island — all things that will help get people out of cars while also helping improve Coney Island.”

Licenses will be awarded before the end of the year.