The Associated Press is reporting that NY Governor Andrew Cuomo's big plan to build a huge casino and convention center near Kennedy Airport has been scrapped after talks with the developer broke down.
The plan had caused lots of head-scratching among transit advocates, since the area is not now well-served by efficient public transportation to Manhattan -- presumably a destination of many prospective convention goers.
According to the AP Gov. Andrew Cuomo says his grand plan for the nation's largest convention center at Aqueduct race track has been scrapped.
He says the proposal unveiled as a centerpiece of his State of the State speech isn't going forward, but he hopes to have developers compete next year for a project that could include a casino.
Cuomo made the announcement in a late Friday afternoon appearance on WOR Radio.
He says he's talking to other developers after talks broke down with the Genting Organization, which was to provide the funding.
Cuomo said in January the $4 billion convention center would help boost the economy and allow a new use for the Javits Center in Manhattan.
Aqueduct is a possible site for a casino if an amendment to the constitution is passed.