Silver's stance on NYC casinos still firm

ALBANY -- The Legislature's top Democrat reinforced his stance Thursday that he is open to locating a Las Vegas-style casino in "less densely populated" areas of New York City such as Willets Point, Coney Island and around Aqueduct Race Track.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) said he continues to oppose the idea of a casino in Manhattan, "central Brooklyn or central Queens or, probably, central Bronx." But, in contrast to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Silver reiterated that he wouldn't rule out casino proposals for Aqueduct and other certain areas.

"There are portions of the city that are less than densely populated . . . I've mentioned Willets Point, which is basically a bunch of junkyards right now," Silver said of the area near Citi Field and the U.S. Tennis Center. "Aqueduct is, again, something that is not in the densely populated part of the city. Coney Island has a tradition of being a resort area to some extent . . . I wouldn't rule those out."

Silver made his remarks to reporters at his State Capitol office; a copy was provided to Newsday.

This year, the state Legislature is expected to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to allow up to seven new casinos in the state. If approved, New Yorkers could vote on the proposal in November.

Cuomo said earlier this month that he would prefer to develop casinos in two stages -- limiting approval this year to just three upstate casinos. In fact, he inserted language into his proposed state budget, unveiled Tuesday, that rules out any area south of Putnam County as a casino site. He wants a gaming commission he has established to weigh casino development proposals.

That has raised concerns for some legislators. Senate co-leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) has indicated he doesn't want downstate ruled out. Silver, along with saying he would support a New York City location, said he wants the Legislature to have a role in determining sites.

"We want a method by which the Legislature has input in the determination as to where the casinos will be and what the timing will be," Silver said.

A Cuomo official didn't immediately comment, but referred to the governor's budget proposal.