Posted on 07/14/2017 5:59:27 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Queens’ only casino will be building brand new amenities for the over 10 million annual visitors to Resorts World Casino New York City in South Ozone Park as they broke ground on a $400 million expansion project on Thursday, July 13.
Excitement was in the air as members of Resorts World, including President Scott Molina, and elected officials from across the borough gathered outside the casino located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., for the honorary groundbreaking ceremony commemorating the expansion that will bring a 400-room four-star hotel, four new dining outlets including a signature restaurant concept by a celebrity chef, new retail offerings, a new arrival experience, and, of course, new games.
“We are incredibly excited to break ground on this extraordinary project, which will welcome visitors from around the world to enjoy the ultimate play, stay, dine and shop experience right here in Queens,” Molina said. “The expansion will serve as an economic engine for our local community and the state, create more good-paying jobs for local residents, and generate significant revenue for New York State’s Lottery Education Fund.”
Local leaders from south Queens applauded Resorts World’s operations since opening in 2011 and the positive impact it has made on the local communities.
Resorts World currently employs 1,100 people, with more than half of those employees coming from the surrounding area. In addition, the casino has generated over $1.9 billion for the New York State Education Fund.
This expansion project — which is expected to be complete by mid-2019 — is estimated to bring in $200 million for New York, as well as 1,000 new jobs, with approximately 3,000 construction jobs and thousands more indirect jobs.
“The expansion of the first and only casino in the City of New York is yet another indicator of the growth underway here in Queens,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “In its more than five years of operations, Resorts World has proven to be an exemplary neighbor and partner to the surrounding community. The expansion into a world-class destination will be a boon for Queens, ushering in thousands of new, good jobs and millions in economic activity.”
Originally inhabited by the fierce Ozone tribe.
Nice,Queens is a cool place.
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Ping.
I grew up less than a mile from there. In fact, I even worked there for a time. That is, when it was a just a racetrack. Now, like many horse racing tracks across the country, it’s combined with a casino. The track is Aqueduct, home of the Wood Memorial Stakes, the major Triple Crown prep on the New York circuit. Probably won’t be long before the track is no more. Pretty sad, IMO, as a lot of great horses ran there, including Secretariat and the champion filly Ruffian.
SOP is Mafia central
Many people who go to casinos end up in the Owe-Zone.
Why do you say that? I've lived all but 1 year of my nearly 60 in Queens. There isn't crap going on here anymore. You wouldn't even recognize it from the 70s and 80s. Damn near everyone I knew left years ago. Mostly all foreigners now.
Not anymore, old friend from the neighborhood.
Well, at least you knew a few of the same guys I did. Not sure if we ever met back in the 70s and/or 80s.
Lol! Good one.
Brings to mind an old Bugs Bunny, or Porky Pig?, cartoon where a street sign to the famous Nevada casinos reads, "Lost Wages".
or as Dick Enberg might call it.. the OH-MY-zone..
Did they have to promise to include an Islamic prayer and foot cleaning room to get the OK?
I had heard,from people that live in the NYC area,that it was becoming gentrified and fairly pricy.
You,of course,would know——so I apologize if I am wrong.
As far as foreigners go,they are damned well everyplace——the country has changed,not just Queens.
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Yes, that is definitely true, primarily in certain sections, such as Astoria in Queens, and Williamsburg and Bushwick, both in Brooklyn. Manhattan much more so has become a one-culture town, with so-called "Hipster" schmucks taking over large areas.
What kind of name for a destination resort is South Ozone Park? Step outside and expect to smell that distinctive lightning storm odor?
Did you know Mike Scutcharini who jumped off the Crossbay Bridge?
Lots of good info on your home page.
I had no idea they turned Aqueduct into a casino, there has to be lots of cash getting skimmed.
Name doesn’t sound familiar but I must have seen him around.
Yeah, they converted it several years ago. They still have horse racing there, at least for now. A few years ago they were considering shutting down the racing. I think some new people stepped in and took over the racing part of it.
Business is terrible there these days. Mostly Chinese, West Indians, Jamaicans, and old retired guys, betting 1 dollar triples and ten cent superfectas. Where they used to have just two “dark days” (days with no racing), they now have 4, with racing taking place only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
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