New York’s downstate casino licensing process continued on September 15, as the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) hearings for Freedom Plaza and Resorts World New York City (RWNY) unfolded just hours apart, showcasing a notable difference in community sentiment.
While Freedom Plaza’s second CAC hearing drew a mix of praise and pushback from nearby Tudor City residents, RWNY’s session in Queens saw support identical to the first CAC hearing in August. Over 50 speakers voiced unanimous support, with no opposition testimony.
The Freedom Plaza developers, led by Michael Hershman of the Soloviev Group and Nelson Parker of Mohegan, initiated the meeting with a presentation. They emphasized new traffic mitigation plans and expanded community benefits.
They framed the $11 billion project as a generational investment that could reshape Manhattan’s East Side.
