A $5.5 billion plan to expand Resorts World Casino in Queens, backed by rapper nas, received unanimous approval from a state board on Thursday, September 25, positioning it to become the largest casino resort in the United States.
The decision comes just days after a competing bid for a casino in Times square, spearheaded by jay-Z, was rejected by the same state community advisory committee.The approval of the Queens project marks a significant economic win for the borough and reignites a decades-old rivalry between the two hip-hop icons, this time in the realm of buisness and growth.
The Resorts World expansion will include a state-of-the-art casino, 30 eateries, and a 7,000-person capacity entertainment venue. NBA champion Kenny “The Jet” Smith is slated to contribute to a sports and media complex on the campus, according to Covers.
Projected to create 24,000 new jobs and generate $1 million in new revenue during its first year, the development aims to considerably boost the Queens economy.
“There’s a theme in Queens and I know Nas is a part of it,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “Queens gets the money!”
“Sorry Jay-Z. We win again,” Richards quipped. “I just had to rub it in.”
Jay-Z’s Caesars Times Square bid was “flatly rejected” last week after requiring a complete proposal overhaul and facing strong opposition from the Broadway League and Manhattan West Side residents. The six-member state community advisory committee voted 4 to 2 against the project.
