Hempstead Moves Forward with New Zoning to Pave the Way for a Casino at Nassau Coliseum

In April, Las Vegas Sands canceled its lease deal. Initially, they signed a 99-year lease with the county to bulld a high-end hotel and casino at the Coliseum. After a lawsuit and pushback, a new 42-year agreement was signed.

"Today’s vote by the Town Board is an important step in realizing the potential for sustainable and transformative development of the property at Nassau’s HUB," said Brian Devine, Town of Hempstead, Director of Communications. "The Town Board’s action addresses outdated zoning that has limited the potential of this site. In enacting this rezoning, the Town has shown its commitment to fostering diverse, high-value development and positioning the Town for the future."

Devine said future property at the HUB would "support needed construction jobs, economic investment and stimulation, high-quality permanent employment for our residents and the enhancement of the last major underdeveloped parcels in America’s largest township."

However, critics of resurrecting the casino idea were quick to jump on the zoning board approval.

“Supervisor Don Clavin and the town board should resign from office before they are voted out by the groundswell of passionate, committed constituents who clearly care about our community exponentially more than they do," said Allison O'Brien Silva of Say No to the Casino Civic Association

County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been a major proponent of the casino property in Nassau. Those in opposition, though, argued that a casino would lead to a string of negative impacts, including a rise in nearby property taxes, crime and gambling addiction.

"Say No members will not only continue to fight any and all predatory gambling companies that try to build at the HUB, but also any politicians who fight for the casinos. We’ll see you at the ballot box," O'Brien Silva added.