By Dennis Yusko
Times Union
WILTON, NY — Saratoga County is no longer a one-horse town when it comes to potential casino sites.
The Mount McGregor Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to close in July, “is being considered as one possible site for a casino,” according to a resolution passed by the Moreau Town Board on Monday. The wording of the measure echoed the state’s glossy descriptions of how much money and jobs a casino would generate. The board voted 3-2 to write Cuomo expressing support for a casino.
“Our whole goal was to show the governor there was an interest,” Supervisor Preston Jenkins Jr. said. “I think it’s a great site.”
A developer was not behind the vote, Jenkins said. He said he recently held discussions with representatives of the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut and Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency that is shopping for reuses of Mount McGregor should it close. The town vote adds Mount McGregor to a list of possible sites for four casinos authorized for upstate. In November, voters across New York approved amendments to the state constitution allowing up to seven full-scale, commercial casinos, with the first four in three locations: the Capital Region, Southern Tier and Catskills/Hudson Valley. The New York State Gaming Commission is expected to soon form a selection committee that would issue a request for applications from interested casino operators.
Full story: Town wants casino to replace prison