Nassau Casino Might be Bad Gamble for Queens

Newsday is reporting that Belmont Racetrack is being considered as the possible site for a Shinnecock Casino. There is much talk about how the Belmont Raceway location would benefit Nassau County, Elmont and the Shinnecock Nation.

However, as is usually the case, there in another side to the story.  While Belmont Park is located in Elmont, the residents of Northeast and Southeast Queens would suffer the casino’s negative impact. It won’t be long before potential gamblers discover that the streets and parkways of Queens offer the most direct route to Belmont Park.

How much more traffic will the Cross Island and Belt Parkway be able to accommodate? There are already times when those roadways are at a virtual standstill. Drivers going to or coming from area bridges, airports, Eastern Long Island or place such as Citi Field will now find their trips made more difficult by visitors to the proposed casino. Nowhere in the Newsday report is it mentioned that Belmont Park is largely served by roads in Queens.

 While I understand the appeal of a casino located on the Queens/Nassau border, I urge everyone to “be careful what you wish for” and proceed with caution. A Belmont Park Casino requires a lot more study and Queens must demand a seat at the table.

The Belmont Park Casino is not yet ready for prime time.

 Warren Schreiber

President, Bay Terrace Community Alliance, Inc.