Believing it will confirm what they already believe, Town of Cobleskill Supervisor Leo McAllister and councilmen will hold an 8pm public hearing Monday at the firehouse on Howe Caverns' casino plans.
Howe Caves Development LLC is one of 21 applicants for one of four upstate New York Vegas-style casino licenses expected to be granted by this fall.
At a mandatory meeting with the New York Gaming Commission last Wednesday in Albany, much of the would-be developers' concerns focused on site preparation and meeting State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) requirements, something that can take as long as 18 months to complete.
But Howe Caverns, said President Emil Galasso afterwards, already has that covered.
"It became clear at the meeting that several potential developers are concerned over meeting the requirements and doing so in a timely fashion," Mr. Galasso said.
"Howe Caverns has already completed a SEQR review, giving us a leg up as a true ready-to-build site for a casino."
Among the necessary site work already completed at the Caverns, Mr. Galasso said, are traffic, geological, and environmental studies.
The 330-acre shovel-ready site will also have access to nearly-completed water and sewer lines and has been approved by the town as a planned development district.
Howe Caverns expects to have a developer in line for the project by the end of the month, when the specific project details will also be released.
The State Gaming Commission requires potential projects to have local support-which is the reason for Monday's hearing, which will be held at the Cobleskill Firehouse.
Mr. McAllister and councilmen voted unanimously April 25 to support Howe Caverns' plans, though they could withdraw that support if there's significant opposition to the project Monday.
The town resolution lists the project's potential impact on tourism and jobs as reasons for its support.
Speakers at Monday's hearing will be limited to residents from the Town and Village of Cobleskill.