Town residents were mostly opposed to the plan to build a casino at the town’s border with Albany.
The Bethlehem Town Board sought the opinion of residents on Wednesday, April 9, on the proposal to build a casino just off of Thruway Exit 23. The facility would technically be in the City of Albany, but would border Glenmont.
“We want to make sure Bethlehem’s interests are represented in this process, and that any effects, which are sure to come, are compensated in any plans that are put forth,” said Supervisor John Clarkson.
The proposed casino would be built on 60 acres of land off Noonan Lane in Albany. The plans call for a 63,000 square-foot gaming floor, a 275-room hotel, a 40,000 square-foot water park, restaurants, an indoor horse riding facility and trails.
Planning Director Rob Leslie said the proposed casino would be about half the size of Turning Stone in Verona.
The project is being developed by Flaum Management, LLC, and the Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation. According to the developers, the project is expected to bring 1,800 permanent jobs and 1,500 construction jobs. It will also provide an annual hosting fee of $11.5 million to be split between the city and county, an estimated $5 million in property taxes for the city, $2 million for scholarships and social programs and provide funds to the county through sales and hotel taxes.
Many of the people at the meeting were weary of the project, saying it would cause the town hardships without reaping any of the advantages that would be seen by the city.
Leslie said there could be potential impacts to traffic and strain on the police force. However, the casino could drive economic development to move to Route 9W, and there could be a positive financial impact for Albany County taxes.
Glenmont resident Marcus Mastracco said he did not foresee the casino helping bring new business to the area. He said he has visited Atlantic City, and there isn’t much sprawl past where the casinos are located.
“Casinos make it that way. They are self-sufficient. They don’t want people straying from their area, so you don’t see a lot spread,” Mastracco said.
Mastracco also said casinos were usually built to revitalize depressed areas, and he did not feel Albany County was a depressed area because of the number of colleges and state workers.
A number of people were concerned about how the casino would impact traffic along Route 9W. The congestion at rush hour has long been a problem, and the casino could only make matters worse. Others worried about increased crime and possible negative effects on the town’s police force.
“Traffic is heavy in Glenmont, and businesses are busy in Glenmont,” said resident Amy Sharf. “I’m concerned about the safety of my sons attending school at Glenmont with a casino so close. It’s right down the road.”
A number of residents felt there was a lack of information on the proposal and wanted the Town Board to seek out frequent updates from the developers and Albany. Clarkson said the developers had offered to give their own presentation to residents in the future, and they plan to take them up on the offer.
Several residents also questioned whether a casino would be economically viable in the area.
Resident Keith Wiggand said the casino is being proposed in an isolated piece of property, and he felt most people wouldn’t be able to see it.
“A casino is private development, and I think we should look at that,” he said. “I think it will enhance the values of property in Bethlehem and not diminish property values. … At this point, I would say build it and we should cooperate because it’s going to help us here is town in the long run.”
Another town resident said he was for the proposal if it meant his county taxes would be lower.
Most town board members said they were concerned about how fast the proposal could potentially go forward. Developer applications are due June 30 with the casino site awarded in the fall. Leslie said the town will know if the developers are serious about proposal come June because the application fee is $1 million.
Clarkson said subdivisions in Bethlehem take longer to be evaluated than the casino project would be by the city and state.
Leslie said local impacts and citing factors make up 20 percent of the criteria for what casino will be awarded the project.
“It seem like it’s set up for our position and the position of people in this town to not really be a big factor in this decision process,” said Councilman Jeffrey Kuhn. “And that’s obviously disturbing.”
Leslie recommended the town send a letter to the developer containing the town’s concerns.
The town plans to hold a public hearing in the future and hear presentations from both the developers and Police Chief Louis Corsi.