New York’s gambling regulators will meet tonight to discuss the potential disqualification of a Mohawk Valley casino bid, but local officials are hoping the regulators can give the proposal a pass.
On the agenda for tonight’s meeting of the New York State Gaming Commission is a discussion surrounding the Florida Acquisition Corporation. The bidder is backed by Canadian companies Clairvest Group, Inc. and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation to build a resort-style casino off Thruway Exit 27 in the Town of Florida overlooking the City of Amsterdam.
In its meeting agenda, the Gaming Commission notes a number of incomplete responses from the applicant after review by the commission, as well as the incomplete physical filing of application materials.
The letter to New York Gaming Facility Location Board members also makes mention of the applicant’s request in June that the board authorize a deferral of payment on $25 million of the $50 million licensing fee, and a 60-day extension on application materials. The deferral and reduction in fees were also backed by county officials.
The board responded by saying it would have been unfair to the other applicants vying for a Capital Region casino under New York’s gambling law. The response reads in part, “It is simply not feasible or fair to alter any provision of the RFA or make concessions at the request of a bidder.”
Now that the “Destination 27” casino proposal could be threatened, Town of Florida Supervisor Eric Mead is hoping the casino siting board will look past the applicant’s omissions.
“You’re not talking about a million dollar project, you’re talking millions. 200-plus million, you know? And something that’s going to affect a community for a lifetime,” said Mead. “So I would just ask they give every developer the benefit of the doubt instead of just disqualifying one.”
Officials in Montgomery County believe the casino project is in a unique position compared with other Capital Region bids. Last November, a majority of voters in the county approved of the statewide casino ballot measure and its promise of economic development. At a public meeting in the Town of Florida, no opposition voices came forward, although an opposition is forming.
According to census data, Montgomery County's poverty rate is more than 19 percent, the highest of all counties eligible for a casino license in region 2, and 29 percent above the statewide average.
Mead contends that the majority of town residents support a casino, and that it’s all about jobs.
“It’s a big blow to the community and it would be unfortunate for this project to be just disqualified,” said Mead.
A Facebook group called People Against The Town of Florida Casino now has 451 page likes. The group protested a planned parade in the City of Amsterdam in June in support of a casino. The parade was canceled at the last minute due to hot weather.
Amsterdam Mayor Anne Thane spoke to WAMC before the planned parade.
“The developers have decided to go forward with their application and we want the state to know loud and clear that Exit 27 is where there should be a casino, because if they’re going to really go after transforming a community, Amsterdam is the one,” said Thane.
Montgomery County Executive Matthew Ossenfort provided a statement to WAMC ahead of tonight’s meeting, saying, “it would truly be a shame to disqualify the application for the Destination 27 proposal at this time.”
The county executive mentioned a lack of communication between the developers and the commission, including answered calls and emails asking for updates on the application process.
Ossenfort also said, “it is disappointing that neither Clairvest nor the county was notified by the Gaming Commission that this would be on today’s agenda and it was posted just one day before the meeting.”
The meeting will take place tonight at 6 p.m. in Manhattan.
