Coney Island casino designed to enhance aging New York boardwalk

Last Friday, a New York City consortium showcased digital renders of a Coney Island casino designed to enhance the boardwalk experience. The city will give out one of its few casino licenses, encouraging various groups to propose designs for the boardwalk gambling stage.

The proposed design comes from a large consortium of famous developers and operators, including Saratago Casino Holdings, Thor Equities and the Chickasaw Nation and Legends. The rendered casino was titled “The Coney Casino Resort & Resort Entertainment District.”

The group’s casino will be built right behind the boardwalk, between the famous Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone roller coaster. It will also feature a technicolor hotel and a convention hall.

Former Brooklyn councilman Robert Cornegy serves as the consortium’s consultant in their attempt to attain the highly-coveted Coney Island casino license. He praised the released designs’ beautiful composition and effortless coalescence into the boardwalk’s background.

“I am pleased with the way the buildings blend in with the boardwalk and streetscape,” Cornegy said.

Better boardwalk experience

Cornegy suggests the casino would connect and consolidate the Brooklyn boardwalk’s attractions, bringing together the Cyclones stadium, the Mets’ ballpark and the aquarium for visitors and hotel goers.

The design also proposes an entertainment hall for performers alongside its convention hall, providing South Brooklyn with the massive venue it currently lacks. According to Cornegy, the venue would host famous entertainers or business events, further boosting the district’s economy.

Given that and much more, the proposed casino would provide many job opportunities for Coney island residents and new recreational activities for visitors on the boardwalk.

“We have a responsibility to bring economic development to underserved communities. The Coney casino does that,” Cornegy said.

The consortium isn’t the only group fighting for downstate casino licenses. Bally Technology has also put forward plans to build a casino in the Bronx, while the Mets owner is looking to open one near the Flushing stadium in Queens.