Mohegan bid for a casino and Ferris wheel near the UN building in midtown Manhattan

Mohegan has joined a bid to build a casino complex topped by a riverside ferris wheel near the UN building in midtown Manhattan by entering a free raffle for three coveted casino licenses in the New York area.

The Connecticut gambling giant is partnering with the Solovyov Construction Company on a futuristic plan to reimagine a decrepit, long-vacant seven-acre lot between 38th and 41st Streets.

The Connecticut gambling giant is partnering with the Solovyov Construction Company on a futuristic plan to reimagine a decrepit, long-vacant seven-acre lot between 38th and 41st Streets.

The space south of the UN headquarters is the largest undeveloped stretch of Manhattan, Solovyov said, and has been looking for years to make use of the overgrown patch of land along the East River.

As part of the project, the casino will be located under a green park, sports fields and a museum dedicated to democracy.

Solovyov’s plan was to include a glass hotel with over 1,000 rooms on the north side of the hilly park and residential twin towers on the south side.

The developer called his project “Freedom Square”.

Mohegan, formed almost three decades ago with the Mohegan Native American tribe of Connecticut, announced a partnership with Solovyov after weeks of dialogue between the companies.

Ray Pino, CEO and President of Mohegan, said Solovyov’s advantageous location and multifaceted project attracted the casino company to bid.

The proposal is to turn the site near the UN building into a casino complex with a museum and a Ferris wheel on the banks of the river.

“We have always looked for opportunities to participate in projects that are not only based on the casinos themselves, but also bring together an immersive experience,” Pino said in an interview.

Stefan Soloviev, chairman of the Soloviev Group, said in a statement that Mohegan’s entry “will ensure the ethical development of Freedom Plaza” and “ensure the long-term economic prosperity of the local community.”

But the Freedom Plaza plan is expected to face community opposition, and it’s just one of many Midtown proposals developers are preparing to submit to the state.

SL Green Realty, which bills itself as New York City’s largest commercial landlord, is working with Caesars on a carefully watched proposal to build a casino in Times Square.

According to the plan of S.L. Green’s casino was located on several levels of a 54-story skyscraper at 1515 Broadway.

The Times Square bid drew strong protest from members of the community and the Broadway League, a trade group that warned that the casino could destabilize the Theater District and further crowd the congested corridor.

“Of all the potential casino venues in New York City, Times Square brings the biggest cost to the surrounding community and the least benefit,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League.

“A casino in what is considered the most visited place in the Western Hemisphere would be a foolhardy experiment and a losing bet in the long run,” St. Martin added.

SL Green, in turn, argued that its casino plan would boost Broadway ticket sales and pointed to union support. SL Green also said it was working to fix the congestion issues.

Brett Hershenfeld, managing director of SL Green, says theatergoers can visit the casino complex after they see performances shifted during Times Square’s peak hours.

“It’s a way to reduce congestion – both through our investment and people’s desire to stay in Times Square,” Hershenfeld said in an interview.

Midtown’s third proposal, filed by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, is for a casino in the Hudson Yards area.

This casino will be located next to the Javits Center at the northern end of the High Line. The company is still developing projects, but said the location next to Pennsylvania Station would be a unique attraction for urban tourism.

Another claim to eclipse casinos: the owners of Saks Fifth Avenue have launched a first-class gambling business on the upper floors of their department store at 611 Fifth Ave. in Midtown.

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