Coney Island residents appear skeptical of a bid to build a glitzy casino and resort on the sandy amusement stretch in southern Brooklyn, according to a public engagement report from the office of Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
The 40-page report, out Tuesday, drew on and distilled feedback from two public forums held by the Brooklyn borough president. His office received about three responses opposed to the project for every response in favor, the report said.
Residents cited concerns about crime, displacement, traffic, gambling addictions and pain inflicted upon local business, according to the analysis. More than 200 respondents gave feedback on the $3 billion casino plan.
Reynoso, a Democrat who has remained agnostic on the bid, said the findings in the report would not rule out his ultimate support.
But he said the feedback should serve as a guide for developers who are pushing to plant a casino in Coney Island through the state government’s downstate casino sweepstakes.
“Now the casino operators know in more detail about how most of Coney Island is feeling,” said Reynoso, one of six officials expected to have a voice on a panel that could vote down the proposal.
“This report clearly outlines the issues in Coney Island,” Reynoso said. “They should be using it to make their proposal stronger.”
Thor Equities, a real estate firm, has joined with Saratoga Casino Holdings, the Chickasaw Nation and the Legends entertainment company to push for the bid.
Some Coney Islanders have held demonstrations against the plan.
A website for the bid says the project, dubbed The Coney, would bring thousands of construction and permanent jobs to Coney Island.
“Our project and vision started with a commitment to the people of Coney Island and the entire Brooklyn community,” says the website.
The state launched the sweepstakes for three $500 million downstate casino licenses in January. Two permits are expected to go to existing so-called racinos with horse racing and…
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