An environmental impact study has been approved regarding Las Vegas Sands’ proposal to construct a casino hotel at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. The Nassau County Legislative Rules Committee voted unanimously to release the study, allowing the public to review it and setting the stage for a full legislature vote. If the review is approved, a public hearing will follow.
Las Vegas Sands is looking to build a $6 billion casino hotel at the Nassau Coliseum site, despite facing some controversy. The bid is considered one of the most credible in the competition for New York City-area casino licenses. Environmental concerns played a significant role in the legal difficulties the proposal faced in the past.
Last year, a New York State Supreme Court Justice ruled in favor of Hofstra University in a lawsuit against Sands, highlighting violations of open meeting laws and potential oversights in the State Environmental Quality Review Act. This led to the requirement for an environmental review to address concerns about the impact of a large-scale project on the local environment.
The ongoing environmental review is crucial for Sands’ casino ambitions on Long Island. According to New York law, the lease transfer for the Nassau Coliseum site cannot be finalized until the review is completed. The findings of the impact study have not been disclosed publicly yet, but they are expected to be revealed soon.
Supporters of the casino project believe it will boost the local economy and provide much-needed revenue for New York. On the other hand, opponents express concerns about potential environmental consequences, such as straining the region’s drinking water supply and other long-term impacts.
The release of the environmental impact study marks a significant step in the process of evaluating the proposed Long Island casino. The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the findings, and the decision of the full legislature will determine the next steps for the project. As the competition for the remaining casino licenses in New York intensifies, the outcome of this environmental review could have far-reaching implications for Las Vegas Sands and the future of gaming on Long Island.