In a 5 to nothing vote yesterday, the town board of East Greenbush, New York unanimously supported Saratoga Casino and Gaming and its partner Churchill Downs' $300 million casino project proposed for Thompson Hill Road. A preliminary plan calls for the number of proposed hotel rooms to be cut in half from 300 to 150 due to issues in the area with wetlands and to cut a year off of the estimated construction time.
Despite gaining the board’s full support, over 200 people showed up to the meeting, most in opposition of the casino, including members of Save East Greenbush, a group that has campaigned against it. If selected by the state for one of its four casino projects, the Times Union reports the site would garner an annual payment of $5.7 million in tax revenue. Proposals must be submitted by June 30th.
Earlier this week the Schenectady City Council and County Legislature voted in favor of 300 million dollar casino project at the former Alco site on Erie Boulevard.