CULINARY PERFECTION

IS COMING TO Sands New York

Where would you like to dine tonight? At one of New York’s trend-setting establishments like Rao’s, Jean-Georges, or estiatorio Milos? Or possibly the culinary creations of celebrity chefs like Lorena Garcia and Tetsuya Wakuda will be more to your palette’s delight. Whatever exceptional culinary experience you can imagine, you’ll find it at the Sands’ planned Long Island destination resort.

Combined with the local restaurant scene, the Sands New York culinary experience will transform Long Island to a must-experience dining destination. Plus, Sands New York’s fivestar concierge service will be directing visitors to local restaurants, bars and attractions, benefitting the entire region.

said, Nassau is guaranteed $25 million in revenue with escalation costs. That figure increases to $50 million a year with escalation costs once the operation has been running for three years.

Aside from legislative approval, Sands also must obtain zoning approval from the Town of Hempstead and file an application with the state’s licensing board for the casino.

Blakeman also exuded confidence in the Sands obtaining that license from the state board because he believes Long Island “is entitled” to one.

“I believe we have the best shot to get a license here in Nassau County and I am just so excited for the people in Nassau County that we have the opportunity to keep taxes down, to keep our community safe and to create jobs,” he said.

Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Rob Goldstein said Blakeman “fought hard” in negotiations to assure that a proposal would not go forward if it did not have a first-class resort.

Goldstein told the approximate 100 residents and labor union representatives that Sands’ goal is to become integrated in the Nassau community and that the hotel will be “the best hotel in New York.”

“We will deliver the job you expect and you want in this community and you won’t be disappointed,” Goldstein said.

Aside from the $54 million payment to the county, Blakeman said, Sands will also pay $5 million in recurring rent until the gaming license is obtained, at which time the recurring rent will increase to $10 million annually.

The Town of Hempstead, he said, will be receiving “significant revenue with a guarantee for the proceeds [Sands] receives and the taxes that are shared under the licensing agreement.”

Sands Vice President Ron Reese told Blank Slate Media in January that 80% of the gross gaming revenue goes to the state and 20% goes locally.

The local percentage would be split up between both Nassau and Suffolk County along with the Town of Hempstead, with Suffolk receiving 10% and Nassau and the town each receiving the remaining 5%.

The Sands will also be providing the Nassau County Police Department $1.8 million each year with escalation costs for police improvements, Blakeman said.

Reese also told Blank Slate Media that the hotel will be at least 800 rooms and the live performance venue will have a 5,000-7,500 seat capacity. Blakeman said the agreement includes a