The Freedom Plaza initiative, a massive $11 billion casino and entertainment complex proposed for Manhattan’s East Side, was voted down early Monday by its community advisory committee (CAC), marking the end of Manhattan’s last casino bid.
The six-member committee cast a 4-2 vote against the project, failing to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority for state-level approval. This decision marks Freedom Plaza as the third casino project in Manhattan to be rejected in just a week, effectively removing the borough from the running for one of the three downstate casino licenses anticipated to be granted later this year.
Led by Soloviev Group and Mohegan Gaming, the Freedom Plaza project aimed to revamp over six acres of land close to the United Nations offices, situated between East 38th and 41st Streets. The envisioned development featured a casino, dual hotel towers, residential units, retail spaces, dining options, public parks, a community center, a daycare facility, and a Museum of Democracy.
The dissenting votes came from CAC chair Sandra McKee, along with Reshma Patel, Celeste Royo, and Jasmine Narula. Supporting the proposal were Nichols Silbersack and Jennifer Sta. Ines.
Following the vote, McKee expressed gratitude to participants, stating: “I appreciate all who took part in this process. It’s been a thorough review of the contributions from the community and the applicants. I stand opposed.”
Despite introducing several last-minute amendments before the vote, including a promise to make all 1,080 proposed residential units permanently affordable, the changes failed to sway the committee majority. This affordable housing commitment was considered by some as the most significant concession made by any casino applicant in the competition.
Freedom Plaza now joins Caesars Palace Times Square and Avenir Hudson Yards, both of which were similarly dismissed with 2-4 votes last week, just minutes after their respective hearings. None of the Manhattan proposals gained support from their CAC chairs, and all three saw backing only from members appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams.
Michael Hershman, CEO of the Soloviev Group, remarked post-vote that the project would have rejuvenated Midtown East. “Manhattan is the world’s undisputed capital, and it deserves a fully integrated resort that could draw visitors and meet community needs,” he stated.
While Manhattan has exited the casino bidding, five proposals remain active: Resorts World NYC in Queens, MGM Empire City in Yonkers, Bally’s Bronx, The Coney in Brooklyn, and Metropolitan Park near Citi Field in Queens. Both Resorts World and MGM are scheduled for committee votes on Thursday.
Mayor Adams voiced his disappointment regarding the recent series of rejections. “Casinos have the potential to generate jobs and bring stability and tourism,” he noted in a television interview. “I was taken aback by some of the unfavorable votes. We should let the final process decide. We shouldn’t terminate them at this local level.”
State gaming regulators are expected to make the ultimate decision on the casino licenses in December. Until that point, the outcome of the remaining bids depends on local community approvals, which are anticipated to conclude by the month’s end.