Skip to content

Casino-Jamming in the Catskills

Way back in February Gov. Eliot Spitzer declared his support for a plan to build a $600 million casino in the Catskills. Now opponents of the St. Regis Mohawk tribe project, which would be located at the Monticello Racetrack in Sullivan County, have launched a public-relations campaign highlighting the traffic congestion and sprawl they say would result.
catskills.jpg

Way back in February Gov. Eliot Spitzer declared his support for a plan to build a $600 million casino in the Catskills. Now opponents of the St. Regis Mohawk tribe project, which would be located at the Monticello Racetrack in Sullivan County, have launched a public-relations campaign highlighting the traffic congestion and sprawl they say would result.

A billboard (above) on Route 17 directs the public to the website of Catskill Mountainkeeper, one of several groups opposing the development. The group hopes that the prospect of increased traffic on the already heavily traveled highway will prompt Catskill residents to lobby Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who has been sitting on the proposal for some time already, to turn down the application for what would be an “off-reservation” gaming facility. Among the project’s most avid supporters is Sen. Chuck Schumer.

Photo of Sarah Goodyear
Sarah Goodyear is a journalist and author who has covered cities and transportation for publications such as Grist, CityLab, and Streetsblog.

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

State Bill Would Stop Highway Expansions Near Vulnerable New Yorkers

April 3, 2026

Study: How Capping Vehicle Sizes Could Help Save the World

April 3, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: Margin For Terror Edition

April 3, 2026

Talking Headways Podcast: Civil Rights, Civic Transport

April 3, 2026

UPDATE: Hit-And-Run Ambulance Driver Kills Woman on Deadly Ocean Avenue

April 2, 2026
See all posts