Gaming giant Bally’s is betting on The Bronx — by proposing a casino next to the Trump Organization’s public golf course at Ferry Point, The Post has learned.
Sources accustomed to the corporation’s plan said its officials have engaged in discussions with the Trump Org about assigning 17 of the 300 acres on the location to Bally’s to operate a casino.
The property is owned by town and the actual estate company — former President Donald Trump’s business empire now run by two of his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump — has a 20-year contract with the Parks Department to operate it as a golf course.
Bally’s plan would only require 10 acres for its casino, with the opposite seven going to a green space or other uses corresponding to housing for employees, in response to the sources.
Long-term, Bally’s would love to take over the complete property — which was once a garbage dump — from the Trump Org, sources accustomed to the casino company’s pondering said.
The project could create over 15,000 construction jobs and greater than 3,500 everlasting, high-paying union gigs with salaries starting at $70,000, plus advantages and retirement, sources accustomed to the project said.
Officials have engaged in discussions with the Trump Org about assigning 17 of the 300 acres on the location to Bally’s to operate a casino.Corbis via Getty Images
Bally’s confirmed its blockbuster plan for a casino next to the course on the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in a press release to The Post on Sunday.
“We’re incredibly excited on the prospect of bringing Bally’s community centered approach to gaming and entertainment to The Bronx. At Bally’s, we start with the proposition that the leaders locally know what’s best for his or her community,” a spokesperson said.
“With that guideline in mind, we have now been engaged in an ongoing series of conversations with local elected officials, community groups and key civic leaders to listen to directly from them about what they would love to see from a possible latest project,” the statement said. “Our vision, which incorporates transforming a former waste disposal site and a high-end golf course right into a world class entertainment destination, with a concentrate on workforce housing and latest and improved public green space at the middle of the project.”
Bally’s vowed that Bronx small businesses and residents could have the chance to “share within the economic prosperity and access to amenities” provided by the casino “for generations to come back.”
“We couldn’t be more grateful on the prospect of writing the following chapter of Bally’s storied history within the Bronx,” the spokesperson said.
The Trump Org, which previously operated casinos in Atlantic City, had no immediate comment.
City Council members have been pressuring the Adams administration to yank the Ferry Point golf course lease from the Trump Org.J.C.Rice
A state siting board will soon accept proposals to contemplate issuing up to 3 downstate casino licenses.
Bally’s is the one gaming firm putting its chips on a casino in The Bronx.
The owners of the present slots parlors on the Aqueduct race track in Ozone Park, Queens and Yonkers race track — Genting/ Resorts World and MGM’s Empire City — are expected to submit bids to expand their offerings to incorporate table games.
Meanwhile, Mets owner Steve Cohen is eyeing a casino near the team’s Citi Field in Willets Point, Queens. A 25,000-seat skilled soccer stadium can be planned within the vicinity.
Others planning bids to operate a casino include the Steve Ross-Related Firms/Wynn Resorts partnership for Hudson Yards, the owner SL Green/Caesars Entertainment team in Times Square and a consortium pushing for a gaming facility in Coney Island, whose partners include Legends, which is co-owned by the Yankees organization.
Bronx Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez, whose district includes the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, said she was bullish on having a casino there.
“It’s really great for The Bronx,” Velazquez said Sunday.
Bally’s vowed that Bronx small businesses and residents could have the chance to “share within the economic prosperity and access to amenities.” Christopher Sadowski
She foresees good union paying jobs on the casino with a spillover effect to spice up mom and pop businesses nearby.
Velazquez said the Trump golf course is simply too expensive and most of her constituents can’t afford to swing clubs there.
“It’s a chance to reimagine what is feasible at the location. I’m very proud to have The Bronx a part of the conversation.”
Bally’s has some Recent York roots. Its Chairman, Soo Kim, grew up in Queens and the firm is owner of one among the sports betting licenses in Recent York.
It’s bringing in some politically connected Bronx big wigs on board to make its case. Stanley Schlein, the lawyer with deep ties to the Bronx Democratic Party and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), just registered as a lobbyist for Bally’s.
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Fabien Levy, a spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams said, “We’re not going to comment on a proposal that has yet to be submitted and by which we’re not the one making a call on” — noting that the state will issue the casino licenses.
City Council members have been pressuring the Adams administration to yank the Ferry Point golf course lease from the Trump Org which is about to run out in April 2032. The corporate has taken heat for agreeing to host a Saudi-financed women’s golf tournament at Ferry Point.
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio in January 2021 announced he was ending town’s contract with the Trump Org over management of the golf course, claiming he had authority to accomplish that due to Trump’s “criminal” role within the Jan. 6, 2021 US Capitol riot.
But a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled last April that town had wrongfully terminated the 20-year contract.
