An open letter has been written by Hofstra University to counter the construction of the Las Vegas Sands casino resort at the Nassau Coliseum site in New York.
Las Vegas Sands revealed its plans to purchase the Nassau Coliseum in January 2023. This would include the surrounding 80 acres of land. The area is collectively known as the Nassau Hub.
The area would be transformed into a new casino and entertainment complex, although it is unclear whether the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum would be demolished for this to go ahead.
The letter from Hofstra University highlights how 40,000 students, ranging from children to graduate students, attend schools in proximity to the Nassau Hub.
The Hofstra University trustees explain: “The Nassau Hub is an entirely inappropriate location for a casino.
“It is surrounded by educational institutions from preschool through graduate school, and a diversity of suburban communities that should not be exposed to the increased traffic congestion, crime, economic harm to local businesses, and other negative impacts that a casino development would likely bring.
“There are other locations in and around New York City to site a casino that are not in such proximity to multiple educational institutions where so many young people live and learn.”
Hofstra is a liberal arts college with 10,000 students across 180 undergraduate and 190 graduate courses.
Before the casino proposals were revealed, the community surrounding the Nassau Hub had received plans to revamp the area positively.
The original plan included a mixed-use campus with office space, residential buildings and retail outlets.
