Bally’s has purchased city-owned land in the Bronx for $156.6 million, clearing a key hurdle in its plan to develop a casino in New York City after being selected as one of three downstate license winners in December.

A deed filed in property records shows the company acquired the 16-acre parcel at 450 Hutchinson Parkway from the New York City government. The site is part of the 300-acre Golf Links at Ferry Point, which was designed by professional golfer Jack Nicklaus and had previously been leased to President Donald Trump as a golf course.

Craig Eaton, president of Rhode Island operations and corporate secretary at Bally’s, signed the deal on behalf of the buyer, while Julia Kerson, deputy mayor for operations, signed for the city, according to the filing.

Bally’s plans to build a 500,000-square-foot gaming facility on the Throggs Neck property as part of a broader 3 million-square-foot complex that would include a 500-room hotel and a 2,000-person event center.

The company had earlier bought out the Trump Organization from its 20-year lease with the New York City Parks Department in 2023 for an undisclosed amount.

The proposal faced resistance from the New York City Council, which voted against a zoning change needed to convert the parkland. Former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the council’s decision in July, allowing the project to move forward.

The New York State Gaming Commission awarded the other two available downstate casino licenses to Resorts World New York City in southeast Queens and Metropolitan Park in northeast Queens, the latter backed by Steve Cohen and Hard Rock.