By Hank Russell
The Long Island Association (LIA) recently held an event to learn more about the $210 million expansion at Jake’s 58 Hotel and Casino at an Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee meeting hosted by the venue. As part of the expansion, the facility will be adding 300,000 square feet to accommodate 1,000 video lottery terminals and amenities, including an event/convention space, a lounge with outdoor terrace, a boutique gift shop, a sports bar and grill, and a multi-level parking garage.
The project, which broke ground in April of this year, will employ more than 800 union construction workers and create 125 permanent jobs when the expansion is completed, which is anticipated to be in 2026. There are also opportunities for small businesses to become part of the procurement pipeline at Jake’s 58. Additionally, once completed, the project will enable Jake’s 58 to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding to the New York State Department of Education and revenue to the local community.
“It was exciting for the LIA members to visit Jake’s 58 to get a real-time update on a project under construction, which will give an immediate economic jolt to our region,” LIA President/CEO Matt Cohen.
Phil Boyle, President & CEO of Jake’s 58 Hotel & Casino and Suffolk OTB, said, “As a new LIA Board Member, it was truly a privilege to host our Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee at Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel to discuss our ongoing expansion project. There are myriad opportunities for Long Island-based businesses to partner with Suffolk OTB and Jake’s 58, so we urge folks to contact us to discuss the possibilities.”
“It is important for the business community to know how our economy is growing and how they can engage with transformative projects, and understand the positive impacts they will have,” added Michael Maturo, chair of the Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee and president at RXR.
Daniel Deegan, co-vice chair of the Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee and partner at Forchelli Deegan Terrana, said, “The expansion of Jake’s 58 is a great example of how a large-scale project can partner with the local municipality to ensure that residents see the benefits of economic development in their community.”
Allan Dorman, the mayor of the Village of Islandia, also spoke at the event about the positive impact the project will have on the municipality, and, in 2025, the village plans to eliminate property taxes.
This article originally appeared in Long Island Life and Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
