Officials Cite Urgency In New Aqueduct Bid
By DOMENICK RAFTER
It’s been almost a week since the state killed the bid by Aqueduct Entertainment Group to develop the “Racino” at Aqueduct Racetrack and Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders have been careful about saying specifically what direction the process to select a new bidder will take.Paterson told the Daily News on Monday that he was aiming for a new bidder to be selected “within one month,” but gave no details as to whether or not he and legislative leaders would seek a new bidding process or select a runner-up.
Paterson said he would meet soon with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) to hammer out the selection process for a new bidder.
Local officials who represent the communities around Aqueduct Racetrack are urging leaders in Albany to move quickly on selecting a new bid.
“We’ve had too many false starts and stops,” said Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach). “This project must move forward in a timely and expeditious manner.”
State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said the lack of new bidders in the months before AEG was chosen should make selecting a new bidder easy.
“Given that no new bidders have entered into the Aqueduct selection process for over a year and that the state has all the financial and background information on the remaining bidders, it is conceivable that a quick, efficient and valid selection of an Aqueduct operator can be made,” he said. “The future of Aqueduct as a racetrack depends on a quick selection process.”
The Governor said he wanted to get a new bid selected and get the $300 million fee by March 31, which was the date AEG agreed to pay the fee by. A State Lottery official said the Division of the Lottery would expedite the approval for a gaming license for a new bidder at the Governor’s request.
In the meantime, Delaware North, one of the losing bids, expressed interest in being reconsidered.
“Without question, we still remain very interested in the Aqueduct project and committed to its success for the community and the State. We continue to believe that our bid was superior and remain confident in that fact,” said William Bissett, President of Delaware North in a statement released shortly after AEG’s bid was dropped.
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.