Nas Partners With Casino to Spur Economic Development in Queens
Nas wants to bring a state-of-the-art casino to his home borough of Queens.
On Thursday (Feb. 29), the rap legend was on hand to unveil the $5 billion vision for Resorts World’s Aqueduct Park in Southeast Queens as the company hopes to win a license from New York State to break ground on the project. If granted, the casino is expected to be one of the largest in the world at 350,000 square feet.
“This is an ambitious project that will give new opportunities to the hard-working families who call Queens home, attract top-tier talent, and build up the next generation of leaders,” said Nas, who has partnered with Resorts World to help promote the project, in a statement. “Clearly, with this project, the world is ours.”
The “Queens Get the Money” rapper reportedly added at the unveiling: “It’s an honor to be here, to be a part of this with Resorts World, realizing the future, seeing what this can be and what it will be.”
Since Resorts World gained access to the land and infrastructure in 2010, it has been preparing to one day build a multi-functional casino. There are plans for a 7,000-seat capacity entertainment venue to host events and concerts as well.
Park space, housing, hotels, restaurants and renovated transit options to JFK Airport and Manhattan are also part of the grand vision, which could create 5,000 union jobs.
Two-time NBA champion and current TNT basketball analyst Kenny “The Jet” Smith also endorsed the project; the plan includes building a sports academy with facilities named after the former Houston Rocket player.
“Resorts World came to me with a clear goal of fostering tomorrow’s athletes, student athletes and leaders both on and off the court,” said Smith in a statement. “Their investment in this Academy will help us teach the next generation the nuances of the game on and off the court, as well as the social, economic, and cultural impact of sports. I’m thrilled to partner with them to improve the borough that raised me and take it to the next level.”
Per The New York Times, Resorts World as well as Yonkers’ Empire City are expected to receive two out of the three licenses granted by New York State. That would not bode well for JAY-Z’s Times Square casino bid in Manhattan.
Watch an ad starring Nas for the Queens Resorts World Casino proposal below.
Michael Saponara
Billboard
