Silverstein Properties’ plans to create “The Avenir,” a proposed West Side casino that may snag one of three downstate gambling licenses being offered by New York State, faced scrutiny from the public on August 27. The complex, which would essentially take the form of a large glass tower, would be built on a Silverstein-owned lot at W. 41st St. and 11th Ave. At a hearing held at the Javits Center, which was convened by an officially-appointed “Community Advisory Board,” developers presented why they should beat out eight other NYC contestants vying for one of the licenses. There are two other bidders in Manhattan; one by Caesar’s in Times Square, and one dubbed “Freedom Plaza” by Soloviev Group, which would be near the United Nations in Midtown East. Matt Tighe, the chair of the advisory board and local State Assembly Member Tony Simone’s Chief of Staff, oversaw the proceedings.
Lisa Silverstein, Silverstein’s CEO, spoke first. “This is a community we care deeply about. I personally got involved in designing three rental towers in this area,” she said, adding that Silverstein had also developed a local public park. Silverstein said that the company had recently hosted a barbecue in the area, which was intended to field any questions about the proposed casino, and that her company wanted to be “inclusive and accessible.”
“Our site is fully zoned and shovel-ready. There is no converting, tearing down, rezoning, or moving tenants around that’s required,” she added. Silverstein noted her belief that the proposed casino would be an “economic driver,” and would strongly appeal to the tourists that often throng Midtown, given its proximity to transit hubs such as the Port Authority Bus Terminal…