Latest news with #Bally'sCasino
New York Post
7 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
NYC Council must ignore partisan politics and fight on against a Bronx casino rezoning OK'd by Mayor Adams
It seems the City Council won't seek to override Mayor Eric Adams' veto of its vote to prevent a Bronx rezoning to allow a proposed Bally's Casino in Ferry Point Park — which is a pretty damning tell of the true priorities of the council's progressive majority. Much as it loves to override the mayor, the council can't be bothered to fight to protect a Republican district. The mayor wants the site to remain an option for an outer-borough casino — though how siting a new gambling mecca outside Manhattan makes any sense is a real head-scratcher: Is putting it in the shadow of the Whitestone Bridge supposed to appeal to Long Islanders? Advertisement Ballys Corporation rendering of vision of Golf and Entertainment complex in the Bronx. Bally's Corporation Or is the relatively isolated site meant to minimize the quality-of-life impact on residential areas? Traditionally, the council supports members who oppose drastic rezonings in their own districts, but apparently Speaker Adrienne Adams and her circle are OK flipping off Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato and her constituents, who dared to elect the Bronx's only GOP member. Advertisement Yes, the council sided with Marmorato last month in voting to reject the land-use change for Bally's proposed casino at the former Trump golf property. But (per council sources) Adrienne Adams & Co. couldn't be bothered to schedule an override vote when members' vacation plans made it too hard to line up the 34 votes needed for an override. Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato is the Bronx's only GOP member. Paul Martinka Bally's Bronx bid is one of eight options for three available downstate casino licenses that state regulators can issue, in a competition that then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo basically designed to maximize political-contribution palm-greasing. Advertisement Some bidders are trying to play nice: For example, The Bally's Foundation's did a $10 million deal last spring to save Preston HS, an all-girls Catholic school near the Bronx park, from closure. But the whole contest remains pretty ugly, and the council's retreat only makes it that much more squalid.
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Universal plans ‘horror experience' near Chicago casino
NBCUniversal will open a horror-themed attraction across from Bally's Casino, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Thursday afternoon in what would be the brand's first entertainment venue in the Midwest. The 'year-round immersive horror experience' will be titled Universal Horror Unleashed and sit in the vacant 114,000-square-foot building at 700 W. Chicago Ave., according to city officials. It is slated to open in 2027 and will receive tax credits from a state program. Johnson cast the development as one that 'will also uplift and revitalize a dynamic neighborhood.' 'This venue will not only bring growth with new visitors to this community, but it will also create 400 — 400 — permanent jobs for Chicagoans, which ultimately grows our local economy,' Johnson told reporters. 'I'm very excited about this announcement, and I have no doubt that fans of this genre will flock to our city for these memorable experiences.' Johnson's office said the project will offer haunted mazes, themed bars and restaurants as well as a shopping space with special branded merchandise, with construction scheduled to start early next year. The agreement includes incentives from the state's Economic Development for a Growing Economy, which grants annual corporate tax credits to businesses who decide to locate in Illinois. Qualifications depend on job creation and dollars invested, with the credit equal to half of the income tax withholdings of the new employees, or 75% if the project is located in an 'underserved area' in the census tract. More credits are available for covering training costs. City officials said the horror venue is expected to create more than 400 permanent jobs, but deferred questions on its tax incentives to the state. A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity did not immediately respond to request for comment. 'Universal's decision to make such a significant investment in Illinois is a testament to the state's unmatched entertainment sector, renowned workforce and strong infrastructure,' Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement. 'Universal choosing Illinois didn't happen by accident — we were proud to support this project through our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a positive business climate that draws world-class companies to the state.' The project's announcement follows the first Universal Horror Unleashed opening in Las Vegas this August. Page Thompson, president of New Ventures at Universal Destinations & Experiences, said the project will be one that is 'deeply connected to this city and to our riverfront location' — and also provide 'bone-chilling scares.' 'It's all fear all year, because horror isn't just for Halloween,' Thompson said. 'Chicago is a great location. It's one of the biggest cities in the United States, obviously the third-largest tourism market in the country, and we've done some research and found that Chicago has pretty high affinity for horror concepts.' In 2022, Rhode Island-based Bally's won a heated competition to build Chicago's first casino on the 30-acre Tribune Publishing printing plant site in River West. The $1.7 billion proposal includes an exhibition hall, a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, 10 restaurants and 4,000 gaming positions, making it the largest casino in the state. Earlier this year, Bally's demolished the 43-year-old Freedom Center to begin making way for the casino complex, which is slated to open in September 2026. Bally's Chicago launched a temporary casino at Medinah Temple in September.
Axios
26-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Universal bringing horror venue to Chicago River
A horror venue will open along the Chicago River in 2027. Driving the news: Universal Destinations & Experiences announced Thursday it will build a "year-round immersive horror experience" called Universal Horror Unleashed at 700 W. Chicago Ave. in a vacant 114,000-square-foot building. Zoom in: Universal is promising "terrifying mazes, unforgettable scares, themed bars and unique food and beverage offerings, and a retail space featuring exclusive merchandise" at the new facility, which will be across from the expected Bally's Casino. Officials say the venue will create more than 400 permanent jobs in roles that include operations leaders, merchandise hosts, entertainers called scareactors, and make-up and prosthetics artists. What they're saying:"This is exactly the kind of creative, high-impact investment we're working to attract — one that brings new life to a vacant site, creates hundreds of jobs, and cements Chicago as a must-visit destination for entertainment tourism," Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. Between the lines: The project will receive state incentives through the Illinois EDGE program, and state officials predict Horror Unleashed will generate $1 billion in economic impact. "Universal choosing Illinois didn't happen by accident — we were proud to support this project through our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a positive business climate that draws world-class companies to the state," Gov. JB Pritzker said.
Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Universal Studios ‘horror experience' planned near Chicago casino
NBCUniversal will open a horror-themed attraction across from Bally's Casino, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Thursday afternoon in what would be the brand's first entertainment venue in the Midwest. The 'year-round immersive horror experience' will be titled Universal Horror Unleashed and sit in the vacant 114,000-square-foot building at 700 W. Chicago Ave., according to city officials. It is slated to open in 2027 and will receive tax credits from a state program. Johnson cast the development as one that 'will also uplift and revitalize a dynamic neighborhood.' 'This venue will not only bring growth with new visitors to this community, but it will also create 400 — 400 — permanent jobs for Chicagoans, which ultimately grows our local economy,' Johnson told reporters. 'I'm very excited about this announcement, and I have no doubt that fans of this genre will flock to our city for these memorable experiences.' Johnson's office said the project will offer haunted mazes, themed bars and restaurants as well as a shopping space with special branded merchandise, with construction scheduled to start early next year. The agreement includes incentives from the state's Economic Development for a Growing Economy, which grants annual corporate tax credits to businesses who decide to locate in Illinois. Qualifications depend on job creation and dollars invested, with the credit equal to half of the income tax withholdings of the new employees, or 75% if the project is located in an 'underserved area' in the census tract. More credits are available for covering training costs. City officials said the horror venue is expected to create more than 400 permanent jobs. 'Universal's decision to make such a significant investment in Illinois is a testament to the state's unmatched entertainment sector, renowned workforce and strong infrastructure,' Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement. 'Universal choosing Illinois didn't happen by accident — we were proud to support this project through our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a positive business climate that draws world-class companies to the state.' The project's announcement follows the first Universal Horror Unleashed opening in Las Vegas this August. Page Thompson, president of New Ventures at Universal Destinations & Experiences, said the project will be one that is 'deeply connected to this city and to our riverfront location' — and also provide 'bone-chilling scares.' 'It's all fear all year, because horror isn't just for Halloween,' Thompson said. 'Chicago is a great location. It's one of the biggest cities in the United States, obviously the third-largest tourism market in the country, and we've done some research and found that Chicago has pretty high affinity for horror concepts.'
