Public review, public hearing set for Las Vegas Sands casino resort project

Last month, Sands submitted a 28,000-page draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) to the legislature, which unanimously confirmed that the document is complete, addressing all of the required topics and available for public review. The document, posted now on the Nassau legislature’s website, is available for public review and comment through Jan. 6.

The DEIS was prepared by Hauppauge-based VHB Engineering, Surveying, Landscape Architecture and Geology. The report includes plans for more than $150 million in mitigation investments that are designed to boost infrastructure and beautify Uniondale and other surrounding communities, with enhancements also slated for East Meadow and the Village of Hempstead.

With this project, Sands anticipates that it would generate $563 million in annual gaming tax revenues. There would be $217 million going to local schools, $54 million to the Town of Hempstead, $52 million to Nassau County, $27 million to Suffolk County and $213 million to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The proposed project is slated to be 400,000 square feet, featuring dining, lodging and retail, as well as a convention center, according to published reports. It is expected to bring in nearly 13,000 jobs at full operation, and more than 7,000 construction jobs, according to the DEIS.

Among the mitigation measures are expanding the Meadowbrook Parkway by adding a fourth lane in certain locations, including from Old Country Road to the Northern State Parkway, and the Northern State to Zeckendorf Boulevard, according to the DEIS. Plans also include reconstructing bridges over the Meadowbrook to ease congestion. This improvement would not require land takings but would need state approval, according to the report.

Plans for a new water well for Uniondale is aimed at supporting the water district, designed to benefit the public long-term sustainability and reliability. An electric substation expansion would be designed to upgrade and modernize energy infrastructure to meet increased demand. And beautification plans are designed to enhance public spaces.

To address problem-gambling treatment services, Sands arranged partnerships with Long Island not-for-profit. For example, Sands committed $200,000 to The Family and Children’s Association to support the establishment of two new Gambling Support and Wellness Centers in Hempstead and Hicksville, according to the report.

To address concerns about delivering livable wages, Sands is partnering with educational organizations. Partners include Nassau Community College and Long Island University, which would create a hospitality program that would generate new career opportunities, according to the report. Sands is also partnering with organizations such as Minority Millennials to build a talent pipeline and procurement opportunities.

Other partnerships include United Way, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, , NAACP New York State Conference, Long Island Association and Citizens Campaign for the Environment and.

Still, there is opposition to the project, including Hofstra University and Say No to the Casino Civic Association.

“Extensive infrastructure expansions are needed to support the proposed 4-million sq ft structure,” Say No to the Casino said as part of its written statement. “This underscores the mammoth impact this project will have – it will once and for all kill off our county’s suburban nature and quality of life.”