By Jessica Taylor
Lakeville Estates Civic Association members discussed concerns about the Las Vegas Sands’ casino and entertainment proposal with a representative April 19.
Sands proposed a plan to construct a privately funded, multibillion-dollar entertainment destination at the site of the Nassau Coliseum earlier this year.
Officials from the casino and resort company said they entered into agreements to purchase the long-term lease of the area home to the Coliseum and, if approved, would be in control of up to 80 acres of property in Nassau.
Bill Cutrone, civic association president, started off the meeting held at the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Fire Department Co. 5 firehouse, by acknowledging the concerns of the community. Lakeville Estates conducted a poll among members on whether or not they favor a Nassau County casino, with “no” comprising 89% of the total answers.
Cutrone asked the community to “keep an open mind and hear what the casino rep has to say before you make your final judgment” before allowing Mike Rendino, a Sands representative and Nassau County resident, to speak about the proposal.
Rendino began by saying that he’s “one of us” and understands the concerns but felt better after speaking with Ron Reese, Sands vice president, and clarifying that the proposal would be for an extremely high-end resort.
The $4 billion proposal includes a gambling casino, pending approval from the state, four and five-star hotel rooms, outdoor community areas and a “world-class live performance venue” that appropriately reflects the Coliseum’s history.
Reese told Blank Slate Media in January the hotel would be at least 800 rooms, the live performance venue would have a 5,000-7,500 seat capacity and there would be roughly 400,000 square feet of “corporate meeting facilities” to go along with other amenities.
Rendino said the proposal would be “cash positive” and would have no cost for Nassau County residents, creating thousands of jobs for Long Islanders and will give local businesses new opportunities, Rendino said.
Concerns about safety and congestiwouldwill also provide funding to support gambling addiction programs.
On security, Rendino said there are plans for a Nassau County Police Department substation to maximize safety, among other things.
Rendino concluded the Q&A by sayig that some of the questions would remain unanswered until the lease is given to the Sands, at which point they could move forward by having more detailed information.
Cutrone thanked the members for their questions and Rendino for his time. He said after the discussion, he is going to resend the poll now that the community has heard some of the benefits the Sands could bring to Nassau County. “To Sand or not to Sand” is the question.