In 2013, New York voters authorized a constitutional modification permitting on line casino gaming within the state, and the state is now within the ultimate phases of awarding three on line casino licenses for the downstate area. Whereas I’m neither a on line casino advocate nor opponent, I do care deeply about how these developments will influence our surroundings and communities. With ultimate selections anticipated by the tip of 2025, we’ve a possibility – and duty – to make sure these tasks decrease their environmental footprint.
For over three a long time, the Decrease East Aspect Ecology Middle has labored on the grassroots stage to construct environmental resilience all through New York Metropolis. From our neighborhood composting packages which have diverted tens of millions of kilos of natural waste from landfills to our environmental justice advocacy, we’ve pioneered community-based fashions in city sustainability throughout our metropolis. We additionally perceive that true sustainability requires each neighborhood engagement and good coverage decisions. This expertise has taught us to guage each main improvement by an environmental lens.
Once we apply that lens to the present proposals for casinos throughout New York Metropolis, one strategy stands out above the others. Almost each undertaking would require demolishing present buildings to assemble new ones – a course of that generates huge quantities of building waste and particles whereas disrupting established ecosystems. In reality, in accordance to the Environmental Safety Company, greater than 90% of all building particles is produced by the demolition of present buildings.
The proposed partnership between SL Inexperienced Realty, Caesars Leisure, and Roc Nation for Occasions Sq. takes a special strategy totally. Relatively than tearing down and ranging from scratch, Caesars Palace Occasions Sq. would adaptively reuse an present constructing, delivering all of the financial advantages of a significant leisure vacation spot whereas avoiding the environmental prices that sometimes include such tasks.
Put otherwise, Caesars Palace Occasions Sq. will recycle an present workplace constructing within the coronary heart of Occasions Sq., respiratory new life into it with out the necessity to create new concrete and metal – the biggest contributor of greenhouse gasoline emissions within the building cycle. By recycling a constructing, this strategy can save as much as 40% of emissions that shall be generated by different gaming tasks that suggest to construct new buildings.
Development apart, the tailored constructing would sit atop the busiest transit hub in New York Metropolis, with entry to almost each main subway line and shut connections to regional trains and buses – supporting the 75% of shoppers who’re anticipated to make use of mass transit. For the one 6% of shoppers who plan to drive to park, the undertaking will make the most of a devoted storage situated outdoors of the bowtie to accommodate 100% of the demand and take away 336 of the present parking areas at 1515 Broadway. The remaining 19% of Caesars Palace Occasions Sq. prospects who plan to make use of ride-shares and taxis will obtain Caesars Rewards for actively collaborating within the drop-off and decide up zones situated outdoors of Occasions Sq.’s bowtie. All of this works collectively to advertise sustainable modes of transportation slightly than clogging Occasions Sq. with extra vehicular congestion and carbon emissions.
And let’s not overlook that the advantages of an present constructing aren’t simply environmental. In a metropolis as dense as New York, land itself is treasured. Adaptively reusing an present constructing in a industrial district avoids displacing any alternatives for inexpensive housing or open areas like different tasks would.
However past the bodily leisure middle, this undertaking is partnering with the Decrease East Aspect Ecology Middle itself to take a position immediately within the surrounding neighborhood. With their assist, we’ll have the ability to broaden our neighborhood composting community to scale back reliance on landfills and assist construct more healthy soils. They’ve additionally dedicated to scaling up our citywide tree planting and upkeep, which is important for city cooling, air high quality, and stormwater administration. And at last, we are able to broaden our neighborhood teaching programs for public faculties and native youth by hands-on studying alternatives, empowering the following technology of environmentally acutely aware leaders. Notably, all of this secure personal funding makes us much less reliant on unpredictable public funding cycles, giving us the flexibility to plan forward, construct capability, and give attention to long-term environmental influence the place it issues most.
This isn’t nearly one constructing. It’s an opportunity for New York to exhibit what accountable city improvement can seem like within the twenty first century: one with out pointless sprawl, spiking emissions, or housing displacement. Simply good reuse and powerful public infrastructure.
Occasions Sq. has at all times been the financial engine of New York. With the precise plan, it will possibly now be an emblem of its environmental duty, too.
