It appears that Bally’s has its land for a downstate casino in New York.
After a lengthy battle, the Trump Organization sold its operational contract of Trump Golf Links Ferry Point to Bally’s. The 20-year lease, agreed upon in 2015, reportedly cost “tens of millions of dollars,” according to the New York Post.
As a result, the Trump name will be erased from the city-owned golf course. And Bally’s will officially have its location to potentially build a NY casino.
Bally’s takes over Ferry Point golf course
The city parks department and Comptroller Brad Lander reportedly signed off on the lease transfer last week, the final step in the process to rid the course of the former president’s name. Trump’s contract will now expire on Sept. 21.
Lander didn’t hold back his joy when speaking with the Post:
“I am delighted that Trump’s name will no longer deface city parkland.”
According to the Post, Bally’s will continue operating the facility as a golf course under the new name Bally’s Links.
“We are supportive of the transfer of the Ferry Point Golf Course to Bally’s,” a parks department spokesperson said in a statement, “and we are confident they will deliver a high-quality golfing experience to New Yorkers.”
Site will be location for proposed Bally’s NY casino
Bally’s has targeted the golf course since earlier this year, looking to turn the 180-acre site into a downstate casino just outside of New York City. Initially Bally’s sought an 8o-year lease, which the parks department turned down.
The company will also pursue 17 additional acres to donate to the parks department, according to the New York Post.
Each year, some 40 million drivers use the Whitestone Bridge that overlooks the golf course, which Bally’s believes will help it snag one of the three downstate NY casino licenses.
As reported by the Post, Bally’s would build its casino where the clubhouse now stands as well as the parking lot. In addition, the company will look to construct a tunnel beneath the highway to create a connection from the golf course to the unused areas of the land.
“Ferry Point is the best site in New York — for the waterfront, the access to Long Island, the access to Westchester,” Eric Trump told the newspaper. “We look forward to seeing what lies ahead for the project.”
