New York Construction Report staff writer
Las Vegas Sands will buy the long-term lease of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and plans to develop a major casino on the site.
Sands is launching a multibillion-dollar bid for one of three downstate casino licenses the state opened for bidding this month. The plan includes outdoor community spaces, four- and five-star hotel rooms and a live performance venue, Las Vegas Sands announced in a news release.
“Our company’s track record of driving significant economic benefits to the communities in which we operate and the meaningful relationships and partnerships we have created in each of those communities gives us a unique perspective on what it takes to develop transformative tourism destinations that positively impact the local community,” said Robert G. Goldstein, Sands chairman and CEO.
“Based on that experience, we strongly believe Long Island can be home to one of the region’s great entertainment and hospitality developments.
“Our announcement today is only the first part of this journey. Our ability to put forward a compelling and competitive proposal will only succeed if we engage with the Long Island community and, in collaboration, develop a proposal that reflects the input of all those involved.”
The resort property would also feature celebrity chef restaurants, event venues and flexible meeting and convention space, including ballrooms. Other amenities would include high-quality casino gaming, which is planned to represent less than ten percent of the project’s total square footage, a luxurious day spa, swimming pool and health club, and a variety of other entertainment programming.
Sands will work Sands will re-activate the various working groups previously established by RXR to identify the goals and opportunities for local residents.
“Long Island has always attracted entrepreneurial businesses, and in this case, it would be creating an entirely new industry for the region,” Goldstein said. “The breadth and depth of the job opportunities created from this development, including many with no prior experience or minimum education requirements needed, are unlikely to be matched by any other proposal the state receives.
“We will offer a wide range of career paths and professional advancement and training programs working in partnership with trade schools, community colleges, local universities and other institutions. Career advancement will be possible and prioritized for all our team members,” said. Goldstein.
The development would utilize cutting-edge sustainable building and operating practices and Sands will seek guidance from Long Island’s environmental leaders to achieve LEED certification and its goal of being the “greenest” building on Long Island.
