By Sahana Shastry
Town of Hempstead residents urged town board members to repeal zoning in the Nassau Hub during a March 24 meeting. The zoning had previously been approved to build a casino.
The hub is the area that centers immediately around the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. The town board approved zoning changes last June to allow a hotel and casino at the coliseum site. Las Vegas Sands, a resort hotel developer, proposed the project in 2022.
After years of leasing issues and delays since 2022, Sands withdrew its bid for a New York state gaming license in April 2025 and later exited its lease agreement. The company had said it would seek a third-party developer, but no replacement was secured before the state’s licensing deadline. The zoning changes remained in place.
Monica Kiely, a member of the “Say No to the Casino” Civic Association, called on the town board to repeal the zoning, citing uncertainty around the site’s future. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation “was supposed to compete for one of the three New York State casino licenses. They withdrew from the competition. They were looking for somebody to take their place at the last minute. Nobody did,” Kiely said. “So we don’t need zoning for gambling anymore. There’s no project on the horizon.”
The zoning proposal drew backlash from residents and nearby institutions when it was approved. Hofstra University issued an open letter opposing Sands’ proposal in 2023.
“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,” Hofstra’s letter stated.
The university sued Nassau County over the casino development, initially blocking the lease agreement before it was later approved with modifications.
With Sands no longer involved, the future of the site remains unclear.
Lynn Krug, of Garden City, expressed concern about the vacancy of the land and the potential negative impacts of gambling activity. “We don’t want gambling because of the crime it brings. It’s going to bring down our communities, and we don’t want it here,” Krug said. “It’s a dirty business. Look at Atlantic City — kaput. We don’t need the Sands’.”
The site’s future is also affected by state legislation. Local leaders, including Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, have opposed he proposed REVIVE Act, which would allow for commercial properties and parking lots such as that found at the coliseum to be converted into residential and mixed-use developments, bypassing existing zoning laws.
Ferretti called the act a “one-size-fits-all mandate that strips municipalities of their authority over local zoning” in comments to the New York State Senate. The act’s status remains uncertain as discussions continue.
At the meeting, Ferretti said the Nassau Coliseum site could qualify under the proposal, allowing more than 1,500 residential units to be built.
“I joined my colleagues in the state legislature, in the minority side, to oppose this ridiculous legislation,” Ferretti said. “It would literally transform the Town of Hempstead and other suburban communities in New York State into the sixth borough of New York City without any ability by the local municipality to have any zoning jurisdiction whatsoever.”
The proposed legislation would accelerate redevelopment of “underutilized” commercial properties into high-density housing by overriding local zoning laws. The Town of Hempstead opposes the act, citing potential impact on local neighborhoods, especially without local oversight.
Residents opposing the casino proposal urged the board to consider alternative development plans. “The idea of gambling development in the middle of Nassau County is wildly unpopular. So we’re calling on you to listen to your constituents and encourage good projects there, not gambling development,” Kiely said. “Residents don’t want gambling development with all the crime, traffic and costs it brings. Yes, cost — not income — cost— to local taxpayers.”
Kiely also emphasized her sentiments about the gambling zoning in an email response. “There are so many good options for that land,” Kiely said. “Why invite gambling development by leaving that zoning in place?”
Hempstead Village Mayor Waylan Hobbs Jr. said it is unlikely that any new developer will take over because of Las Vegas Sands’ backing out and the hesitance of others. “I really don’t see anyone else pursuing it because most businesses watch trends. So, if another organization tried to do it and they failed, they’re not going to waste the money and time to try to do it again,” said Hobbs. “I hope that they do something with that coliseum area that’ll be beneficial to our community.”
