Silverstein Properties’ plan to build a casino at 41st Street and 11th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan has been rejected by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The committee voted 4 to 2 against the proposal on Wednesday, leaving the site undeveloped for now.
The decision comes after a similar rejection of SL Green’s casino proposal. In response to that earlier vote, SL Green CEO Marc Holliday criticized the CAC, calling their decision “despicable.”
Silverstein, along with partners Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment, had proposed a $7 billion project called Avenir. The development was set to include a 1,000-room Hyatt Hotel, restaurants, bars, and a 150-seat entertainment venue. The team also pledged to help convert offices into about 2,000 housing units in the area covered by Community Board 4. While Silverstein said it had identified dozens of potential sites for conversion and planned to review more, it still needed to acquire those properties before moving forward.
Members of Silverstein’s CAC included appointees from elected officials who have publicly opposed adding a casino in Manhattan. Among them was Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
On Wednesday morning, Silverstein’s team requested that the CAC delay its vote. Dino Fusco from Silverstein said this was because the committee had sent “a very significant request” late Tuesday night—asking for an additional $1 billion worth of housing to be added to the proposal. Silverstein argued there was not enough time to consider this new demand and suggested postponing the vote. A spokesperson for Silverstein’s team said that receiving such a request so late “taints the CAC process.” Angel Vasquez, appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, agreed during the meeting that more time should have been given.
Despite these concerns, the CAC decided not to postpone and proceeded with its vote.
