Kenneth C. Crowe II

The Town Board has never hidden its efforts from residents to understand the casino development process and make the best economic decision for the community, Supervisor Keith Langley said Wednesday night.

The 22 pages of notes from various meetings between the developer of the proposed $300 million Capital View Casino & Resort were taken with the idea that they could become public, Langley said.

Given the complexity of the issues that surround casino development, Langley said it made sense to have James Featherstonhaugh and his staff meeting with board members one on one.

"Who better to discuss it than Saratoga Casino and Raceway?" Langley said.


http://m.timesunion.com/local/article/Official-defends-casino-review-5563264.php

Jon Harris


ENDWELL — The Town of Union Board approved a resolution Wednesday night supporting the planned $150 million Traditions Resort & Casino, after hearing differing views from dozens of residents who crammed into the board room to argue their side.

The resolution passed 4-0, with all four Town of Union councilmen voting in favor and Town Supervisor Rose Sotak abstaining.

The Walsh family, owners of Traditions at the Glen, plans to construct the destination resort off of Watson Boulevard in the Town of Union. The development would have 1,200 slot machines, 50 gambling tables and would add about 160 rooms to the existing hotel, which now has 41 rooms.

http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20140618/NEWS10/306180102/Union-board-approves-resolution-supporting-Traditions-Resort-Casino

Troy Record


ALBANY >> Capital View Casino & Resort, a joint project of Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Churchill Downs Inc., Wednesday announced a restaurant alliance with Mazzone Hospitality.

The arrangement with Mazzone Hospitality is the first step in creating a new, high-end dining facility with a focus on locally-grown and sourced products inside the proposed $300 million casino project, according to project officials.

The restaurant will be in the tradition of the Mazzone Hospitality’s seven other Capital Region restaurants.

http://www.troyrecord.com/lifestyle/20140618/capital-view-casino-resort-announces-restaurant-alliance

Web Staff
RENSSELAER, N.Y. -- A presentation is scheduled Thursday night in Rensselaer regarding the proposed casino in the city.
Mayor Daniel Dwyer is hosting the presentation by NYS Funding LLC at Rensselaer City Court. Earlier this month, Capital OTB and Flaum Management withdrew plans for a casino site in Albany to support a potential casino at a vacant lot at DaLaets Landing.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/746180/first-look-at-plans-for-new-rensselaer-casino/#sthash.14xWFCA9.dpuf

Jessica Che
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. -- Town leaders and the community in Tuxedo, gathered to learn more about what impact the Sterling Forest Resort would have on their community.

On Wednesday, dozens heard from a consulting firm, hired by the town, to look at the financial pros and cons of having that full scale casino in the area.

The Town hired consulting firm, Alvarez & Marsal concluded, Genting Americas proposed project would have a net positive impact on the Town.

"Tremendous economic development and growth and revenue to the town in several categories," said Chuck Bedsole from Alvarez & Marsal.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/746129/tuxedo-hired-consulting-firm--proposed-casino-will-have-positive-impact/#sthash.GKeeTT1F.dpuf

James M. Odato
Acting Gaming Commission Director Robert Williams wrote a letter this week after some of the Sullivan County casino developers began pulling out of the competition for up to four licenses upstate. (Williams is set to be confirmed as executive director by the Senate on Thursday.)
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/215089/asserting-balance-in-the-casino-playing-field/

James M. Odato

Hard Rock will be a name a development team hopes to raise on a casino and hotel project at De Laet’s Landing in Rensselaer.

Peter Marx, who has owned the project site, said the project is shaping up along the lines of what he had hoped for the 24-acre site, which is along the Hudson River. He has entered a real estate deal with David Flaum of Rochester, who has been trying to put together a casino project in New York for years.

The $150 million to $200 million project continues to be associated with the Chickasaw Nation and Capital District Off-Track Betting Corp. It will be unveiled Thursday night in Rensselaer, a source involved in the site said. The figures could not be confirmed.

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/215168/hard-rock-part-of-rensselaer-casino-plan/

James M. Odato

The New York Gaming Commission siting board handed down the bad news on Friday to the Montgomery County elected officials who desired more time and a reduced license fee for their casino development team.

Here is the commission’s New York Gaming Facility Location Board statement:

“The requirements spelled out in the Request for Applications (RFA) establish a level playing field for all potential applicants, including the proposed project in Amsterdam. It is simply not feasible or fair to alter any provision of the RFA or make concessions at the request of a bidder. To do so would create an unfair bidding process for every other potential bidder and invalidate the RFA. While we cannot honor any applicant’s request to make concessions or alterations to the RFA, we do encourage all applicants to move forward with their bids and put their best plans forward.

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/215303/amsterdam-bid-for-casino-concessions-turned-down/

BRIAN KELLY

ALEXANDRIA BAY — Two Rochester developers are proposing a $100 million project for the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center site that would include a racino, hotel, convention center, outlet mall and other amenities.

Mark Bohn of Bennett Heights Capital LLC and Marc R. Vasile, vice president of Vasile Construction Corp., both seasonal residents of the Thousand Islands, said Thursday that “River Isles” along Route 12 is designed to be a year-round destination catering primarily to Canadians and create at least 400 permanent jobs.

“It really will impact the community in a way the community has not been impacted in many, many years, in a very positive way,” Mr. Bohn said. “There are a lot — a lot — of opportunities for a lot of people.”

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20140620/NEWS03/140629941

Web Staff

WOODBURY, N.Y. -- The Woodbury Town Board postponed the vote on the potential Caesar's Casino until next week. The postponement comes nearly one week after the Woodbury Village Board voted to approve the plan.

Caesars Entertainment Corporation is hoping to build on 121 acres of land next to the Harriman Metro-North Station and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

Residents at Thursday's meeting say they're disappointed the board put off the vote. However, the Woodbury Town Supervisor said they are waiting for more information from the casino.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/746453/casino-vote-postponed-by-woodbury-town-board/#sthash.qo95WCMs.dpuf

Barry Wygel

FONDA, N.Y. -- Montgomery County officials are optimistic after meeting with members of the state's casino siting commission Thursday.

They met to formally ask for amendments to the casino application. Casino developers said the projected revenue for a casino in Montgomery County is much less than in Albany or Schenectady and that has made meeting the state's minimum capital investment a challenge.

County officials say if the state keeps to the intent of the legislation, they should not have an issue.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/746278/montgomery-county-officials-meet-with-casino-siting-commission/#sthash.sZA6uJED.dpuf

Meredith Zaritheny

NEWBURGH, N.Y. -- Seeing is believing at least that's what City and Town of Newburgh leaders are hoping is the case.

"I think it’s extremely important this board understands what's going on here in the City of Newburgh," said Judy Kennedy, City of Newburgh Mayor.

That's why they're inviting the Gaming Facility Location Board to visit the city, to see first hand the need for economic development and job opportunities in the area.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/746350/newburgh-officials-invite-gaming-facility-location-board-to-visit/#sthash.PLTDqoBc.dpuf

James M. Odato

Montgomery County elected leaders have their fingers crossed that their development team will be able to compete for a Capital Region casino license after the group said it is still debating whether to stay or go.

The possibility exists that a Thruway Exit 27 bid will arrive by the June 30 deadline, despite the state Gaming Commission turning down an appeal for concessions desired by the Canadian gambling partners with a vision for 512 acres just outside downtown Amsterdam.

"We respect their decision but we're not ready to fold just yet given how much we love the location and given the strong community support we've received from the county and host communities," said Peter Marcil, a member of the group led by Toronto-based Clairvest and British Columbia-based Great Canadian. They have proposed a $250 million phased-in project.

http://m.timesunion.com/local/article/Clairvest-Great-Canadian-weigh-next-Amsterdam-5568724.php

By DAVID L. SHAW dshaw@fltimes.com | Posted Yesterday

SENECA — If Wilmorite obtains a state license to build a casino in the Seneca County town of Tyre, it wants construction of the $350 million resort to proceed without labor unrest or interruption.

To help assure such a scenario, company officials and representatives of the Finger Lakes Building Trades Council and its 19 affiliated labor unions signed a 43-page, legally binding project labor agreement Thursday.

At a press conference in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 840 office on Routes 5&20, IBEW business manager Michael Davis and Wilmorite vice president of construction James McKenna signed the agreement.

Officials of Rochester-based Wilmorite have estimated they would employ 1,500 workers in the construction phase.
http://www.fltimes.com/news/article_16e6faf4-f885-11e3-ad90-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm

Bill Toscano

FORT EDWARD -- Laying its bets down, the Washington County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Friday supporting a bid to build a casino in the city of Rensselaer, choosing that site over a proposed East Greenbush hotel-casino complex.

“I think that while we need to do it, when you get down to it, we are pawns in a big game. This (the proposed casino) may not happen,” said county Budget Officer Brian Campbell of Hebron, who joined 11 others in voting in favor of the Rensselaer site.

The Rensselaer site is backed by Capital OTB, a major gaming company that announced Thursday that Hard Rock Cafe has joined the partnership to handle restaurants and the hotel at the casino.

The Capital OTB representatives, who were originally backing a project at Exit 23 in Albany, spoke to the Washington County board last month and the Finance Committee this month.

http://poststar.com/news/local/washington-county-board-puts-its-chips-on-rensselaer-casino/article_b3276f00-f8c3-11e3-8ce8-0019bb2963f4.html

BRIAN KELLY

ALEXANDRIA BAY — Two Rochester developers are proposing a $100 million project for the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center site that would include a racino, hotel, convention center, outlet mall and other amenities.
Mark Bohn of Bennett Heights Capital LLC, and Marc R. Vasile, vice president of Vasile Construction Corp., both seasonal residents of the Thousand Islands, said Thursday that “River Isles” along Route 12 is designed to be a year-round destination that would cater primarily to Canadians and create at least 400 permanent jobs.
“It really will impact the community in a way the community has not been impacted in many, many years, in a very positive way,” Mr. Bohn said. “There are a lot — a lot — of opportunities for a lot of people.”

http://www.mpcourier.com/article/20140620/DCO/140629956

Haley Viccaro

EAST GREENBUSH — The Palace Theatre and the Times Union Center in Albany have reached agreements with Saratoga Casino and Raceway and Churchill Downs on a proposed casino in East Greenbush.

The Capital View Casino & Resort, which is being pitched by the operators on Thompson Hill in East Greenbush, is looking to promote the Albany entertainment venues if the project receives a casino license from the state.

“We’re thrilled to be able to partner with the local arts and entertainment community to strengthen existing venues and provide our visitors a range of entertainment options when they come to the region,” said Rita Cox, spokeswoman for Saratoga Casino.

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2014/jun/23/0623egbush/?free

James M. Odato

The contracts negotiated by the major union expected to organize upstate gambling houses suggest that developers are not blowing smoke about annual average salaries of more than $40,000 for casino and hotel workers.

The New York Hotel and Trades Council represents 1,400 of the 1,700 employees at Resorts World, the racino at Aqueduct Race Track in Queens.

Those workers got a contract last fall that resulted in an overnight doubling of their pay. The employees went from making $10 to $12 per hour to $20 or more, plus benefits, in jobs such as security guard, customer service representative or cage cashier. The contract runs through October 2017.

The same organization entered into a contract with New York City hotels. It runs through 2024. At the end of the contract a housekeeper will be paid $69,000 a year, up from $50,000 now and $59,000 in 2019. The deal affects 25,000 hotel workers.

http://m.timesunion.com/local/article/40-000-casino-jobs-look-like-a-good-bet-5571505.php?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Albany%20Pro&utm_campaign=Albany%20Pro%2006%2F23%2F14

TWC News Staff

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y. -- Officials in Montgomery County have confirmed they will be moving forward on an application for a casino in the Town of Florida.

This is in light of a decision by the State Gaming Commission not to grant casino developers two amendments to the application.

Developers from Clairvest and Great Canadian gaming initially said that if the amendments were not granted they would not pursue their application, a decision which has since been reversed.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/747066/developer-will-continue-plans-for-exit-27-casino-plan/#sthash.tQRNIp1X.dpuf

Web Staff
TUXEDO, N.Y. -- Officials in the town of Tuxedo are moving forward with plans for a casino.
The town board is holding its regular bi-monthly meeting Monday night where members will discuss a law to establish a gaming overlay district. They will also vote on re-adopting a resolution to support plans in accordance with the state's gaming commission.

Gaming officials said they are taking public support into consideration when they approve gaming licenses later this year.

- See more at: http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/747239/tuxedo-town-board-to-vote-on-casino-resolution-monday/#sthash.4Dy3aD8L.dpuf

James M. Odato

The Saratoga Harness casino team attempting to build a $300 million gambling and lodging complex in East Greenbush has chosen a Capital Region competitor as a partner on a bigger gaming project proposed in Orange County.

Setting up an unusual dynamic in the statewide competition for up to four state casino licenses, the group led by lobbyist, lawyer and entrepreneur James Featherstonhaugh wants to team with Rush Street Gaming on a $670 million project proposed by Saratoga Harness in Newburgh. He has been keeping the gaming operator for the Newburgh project under wraps for unknown reasons for weeks, although it must be disclosed to the state Gaming Commission when bids are due June 30.

In the Capital Region, Saratoga Harness is competing with a partnership of Rush Street Gaming and the Galesi Group, which wants to build a $200 million casino/hotel project along the Mohawk River in Schenectady.

Featherstonhaugh has repeatedly declined to confirm or deny the association with Rush Street in recent days. A spokesman for Saratoga Harness, Michael Morey, however, acknowledged Saturday his group's interest adding the Chicago-based gaming and real estate company on the Newburgh casino. "Serious discussions are under way about a partnership," he said.

http://m.timesunion.com/local/article/Casino-rival-is-also-a-partner-5569977.php

Paul Post

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> It’s highly possible that Saratoga Race Course within two years could be competing for patrons with up to three new full-scale casinos in the Capital Region and Catskills.

The track set an all-time attendance mark of 1 million-plus fans in 2003 when daily average attendance was 29,147 compared to 21,679 a decade later in 2013 -- a 25 percent decline.

Saratoga’s neighboring harness track casino opened in January 2004, and flat track attendance dropped 10 percent over the next three years and has only topped the 900,000 plateau once in the past six summers. Last year, attendance fell slightly from 2012 despite the major 150th anniversary of Saratoga racing celebration.

http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20140623/nyra-members-brace-for-casinos-impact