Only a week before the New York casino selection panel’s announcement about which four of all sixteen bidders will be awarded licenses, it seems that Genting’s project is meeting the greatest opposition. It was reported that activists and environmental groups had sent more than 3,000 letters and emails to local authorities to express their unfavorable opinion about the Malaysian company’s wish to build a casino in Sterling Forest.
Genting’s project is the most expensive of all sixteen proposed gambling venues. It was estimated that its construction will cost about $1.5 billion. And as it seems, it is also the most widely discussed one. As mentioned above, local environmentalists had sent a total of 3,428 letters and emails to New York gaming officials. According to them, Genting’s casino will put the surrounding forest into serious danger.
Rodger Friedman, member of the Sterling Forest Partnership, said that the Malaysian company should “pack up [its] money and go someplace else.”
It appears that local activists and environmental organizations are not the only to oppose the Sterling Forest project. New York’s Gov. George Pataki as well as several other important political figures have expressed their disapproval of this particular bid.
Pataki said that he was really concerned about what the project and its expected seven million visitors might do to the forest.
Genting, which currently manages the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct, assured that their new venue will be absolutely ecologically friendly. It was announced that the Malaysian company would invest more than $20 million in the construction of a special water treatment plant. It also promised to take care of the local hiking trails and wetlands and to install solar panels that will generate electricity.
Michael Levoff, a spokesperson for Genting, announced that they are well-aware that many people feel emotionally connected to Sterling Forest. He stated that their project is designed to be in complete harmony with the environment. Mr. Levoff also ensured that they will not harm the natural surroundings in any way.
Genting’s resort is expected to feature a hotel with 1,000 rooms, a ski center, special trails for hikers, etc. The company also promised to resume the Renaissance Faire medieval festival.
Genting’s executives stated that they will pay the state a license fee amounting to $450 million. The sum is much bigger than the $70-million minimum that New York officials set.
Tomorrow, December 10, all five members of the Gaming Facility Location Board are going to gather together behind closed doors. And as it was announced, their final meeting will be held next Tuesday in Albany.
Lee Park, a spokesperson for the local Gaming Commission, stated that public opinion will be considered by the selection panel and will certainly influence its decision where to locate the new casino venues.
