After receiving its final approvals to turn South Ozone Park’s Aqueduct Racetrack into a casino – and presenting the state with a $380 million check – Genting NY, LLC revealed that there will tentatively be a groundbreaking at the site on Thursday, October 28.
Patrick Jenkins, the company’s community relations official, informed local residents of this at the most recent Community Board 10 (CB 10) meeting.
“Aqueduct sits right in the middle of Community Board 10,” Jenkins said. “That is not taken lightly by Genting.”
The project will bring millions to the community in jobs, which includes South Ozone Park, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Richmond Hill, Tudor Village and Lindenwood.
“This check says ‘We’re here to stay. We’re here to be good neighbors.’” Jenkins said of the Malaysian company.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Jenkins said, residents can meet Genting’s leadership.
According to Jenkins, the casino will create 1,300 construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs in office management, customer service and other fields. The Tutor Perini Corporation will oversee the three-phase construction project and will seek local construction and other local companies with which to do business.
“Genting is committed to full-fledged community business,” Jenkins said.
A web site will be created soon to allow local businesses to place bids for contracts, he noted.
A number of construction projects have already been approved. They include interior and exterior renovations of existing grandstands, repaving parking lots, construction of a pedestrian bridge and utility and water improvements. All construction is internal to the track area and will have a low impact on traffic in the surrounding area.
