Coney Island

The community rallies in response to proposed Coney Island casino

Ahead of the Jan. 22 vote, all sides voice their feelings on the casino

January 14, 2025 Gabriele Holtermann & Brooklyn Eagle Staff
Emotions ran high at Community Board 13's public land hearing. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
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CONEY ISLAND — Emotions ran high as supporters and opponents of the proposed The Coney Casino and Entertainment Resort clashed at a Community Board 13 public land hearing at the Coney Island YMCA on Thursday. 

Community members had the chance to make their voices and feelings heard regarding the mega-development along the iconic boardwalk. Thor Equities Group and its partners — Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation and Legends Hospitality Group — are behind the five acre project along Stillwell Avenue. The Coney is one of eleven contenders vying for one of the three casino licenses that are up for grabs in the greater New York City area.

The team behind The Coney and supporters say the project will bring much needed jobs to Coney Island. Rendering courtesy of The Coney
The team behind The Coney and supporters say the project will bring much needed jobs to Coney Island. Rendering courtesy of The Coney

Representatives for The Coney announced that it will establish a $200 million community trust for the Coney Island community if it is granted a gaming license. A board made up of local voices and stakeholders will be established to help guide where funding will go and the initiatives it will support if The Coney.

“A community trust is exactly what Coney Island needs to ensure that the needs of locals are put first. I want to thank The Coney for truly putting its money where its mouth is and including this historic level of investment into their RFA proposal,” Jimmy Kokotas, owner of Tom’s Coney Island said.

Others at the meeting were staunchly opposed to The Coney, citing concerns that the casino would attract crime, exacerbate gambling addiction, increase gentrification, push out small businesses and hurt cultural institutions. Adam Rinn, artistic director at the nonprofit arts organization Coney Island USA, told the Brooklyn Eagle he was testifying to “put an end” to the casino, which he described as a “monstrosity and greedy structure.”

Read the full story and see photos from the meeting.

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