BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON CITY COUNCIL’S DISAPPROVAL OF BALLY’S AT FERRY POINT CASINO PROPOSAL

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON CITY COUNCIL'S DISAPPROVAL OF BALLY'S AT FERRY POINT CASINO PROPOSAL

"I am incredibly disappointed by the City Council's decision to disapprove the Bally's at Ferry Point Casino proposal land use applications earlier this week.

The land use vote was not about approving a casino, it was about leveling the playing field for equal economic opportunity in our Borough. The road to obtaining a license to operate a casino, let alone actually building one, is a long process. Applicants face fierce competition, rigorous scrutiny, and multiple layers of input and approval, including from local elected officials and community stakeholders.

Notably, an overwhelming majority of our Bronx Council Members did indeed support giving The Bronx a fair shot. I want to recognize and thank our Delegation, Council Members Rafael Salamanca Jr., Kevin C. Riley, Eric Dinowitz, Oswald Feliz, Althea Stevens and Majority Leader Amanda Farías for standing up for The Bronx.

The Land Use vote and City Council vote was against The Bronx having a chance to gain thousands of good-paying, stable, union jobs; unprecedented cultural, education, public safety improvements and transportation investments. Which would have provided countless opportunities for upward social mobility and pathways to the middle class for our Borough.

This decision will not deter our work as an Administration, but we will continue to show up and partner with elected officials and community stakeholders that will invest in the economic development of the Bronx."