Council hearing on Bally’s Ferry Point proposal focuses on parkland, traffic and promised benefits

The New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises opened public testimony on LU 321, LU 322 and LU 323 as part of a hybrid hearing where Bally’s presented plans for an integrated resort at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx. Chair Kevin Riley said the subcommittee’s task was to review the three requested local land‑use approvals, not to award a state gaming license.

Bally’s told the subcommittee the project would be concentrated mainly on the existing parking lot, clubhouse and a portion of the practice area at the Ferry Point golf concession, and that it had submitted a state gaming application. Christopher Jewett, senior vice president of corporate development for Bally’s, summarized the proposal and said the firm had committed a package of community benefits with a stated net present value of $625,000,000 and workforce and ownership commitments for Bronx residents.

The council must decide three local actions requested by the applicant: a zoning map amendment to apply a commercial zoning district (C8‑4) where the site is now parkland; city‑map amendments to demap and reconfigure parkland (including widening the Ring Road) and to map a new city street; and approval of a disposition/easement that would allow an access way over city parkland. Department and applicant witnesses said any map or disposition action would be contingent on Bally’s receiving a state gaming license; if a license is not awarded the map changes would not take effect.

Why the hearing matters

If adopted, the actions would convert roughly 15.7 acres of park‑associated land to permit development tied to a privately operated integrated resort; state law and the state licensing process remain the gatekeepers for an actual…