Casino Deal For Nassau Coliseum Land Clears Next Hurdle

MINEOLA, NY — Fresh off County Executive Bruce Blakeman making the deal with Las Vegas Sands officially for the Nassau Hub land, the county Planning Commission gave its blessing for the project, Newsday reported.

The group voted unanimously in favor of transferring the lease to the Sands, which plans on building a proposed $4 billion world-class hotel with entertainment and, most at-odds with residents and community leaders, a casino.

But as the commission told Newsday, they can only make recommendations, "those recommendations are not in any way binding on the legislature."

The legislature weighs in next, in committees and followed by the full body next month. The public is expected to get a chance to speak when it's part of the Legislature's agenda.

There has been criticism of a hotel/casino in Uniondale, ranging from traffic and safety concerns to a drop in neighboring property values and the local economy.