NY: Hofstra University calls Nassau County "an entirely inappropriate" location for Sands' casino bid

A new casino proposed by Las Vegas Sands in the state of New York faced further opposition this week from Hofstra University, which shared an open letter opposing the project. The proposal would see the company construct an entertainment complex at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum site on Long Island, which would include a casino, a hotel, and a large event space.

"The Nassau Hub is an entirely inappropriate location for a casino. It is surrounded by educational institutions from preschool through graduate school and a diversity of suburban communities that should not be exposed to the increased traffic congestion, crime, economic harm to local businesses, and other negative impacts that a casino development would likely bring. There are other locations in and around New York City to site a casino that are not in such proximity to multiple educational institutions where so many young people live and learn," the letter read.

In addition to Hofstra University, the Garden City Village Board voted to take an official stand against the proposal for the Nassau Hub. It is worth mentioning that the Village Board does not actually hold any power, so the vote was largely considered a symbolic gesture. Members of the community, however, are confident it sends a strong message to the New York regulators and also developers that Nassau is not the ideal place for a casino.

Although Hofstra champions students and cites student welfare as a reason to reject Sands’ proposal, Nassau Community College has signed a prospective partnership deal to become the primary employee training center for the company should the casino plan go ahead. The partnership would also include internships and ‘experiential learning’ for Nassau Community College students who wish to consider a career with LV Sands in the future.

Maria Conzatti, acting president of Nassau Community College, said: "The creation of a new industry with thousands of jobs in multiple sectors is a tremendous opportunity not only for our students but for the diverse populations we serve as a community college."

"Enhancing our curriculum with training programs, mentorship, and internship opportunities in conjunction with an industry leader like Sands provides an opportunity for adult students, career changers, and all community members to be placed on successful career paths," she added, as reported by Business 2 Community.

Sands' proposal calls for an entertainment complex at the Nassau Coliseum site, including a casino, a hotel and an event space. The company claims the project would bring jobs and tax revenue to the community, but those against the casino say the property could drive increases in traffic and crime, as well as negatively impact students at nearby colleges.