Good Morning Yonkers
I want to show you what we had, and what we can bring back.
This rendering is the $2.3 billion investment plan for Empire City in Yonkers.
You can see it:
Right side: A hotel tower with rooftop views of the NYC skyline.
Left side: A new 5,000-seat indoor venue with a curved roof — built for concerts, community events, and live entertainment.
Center: Empire City, modernized.
My community proposal adds one more idea at the bottom — dual-breed horse racing.
Keep 50 days of harness trotters. That is our history in Yonkers.
Add 50 days of thoroughbred racing with jockeys. That is our future for year-round activity.
If New York updates the racing law to allow both under one license, Yonkers would become the only mile track in New York to host both.
Why I wrote 4 letters:
I have written a community proposal to share this idea with our state representatives and with MGM Resorts. All 4 letters will be mailed together on Friday, October 9, 2026.
A few facts about this project:
• It received a 5-0 Community Advisory Committee vote on September 25, 2025.
• After October 14, 2025, the site became available for new community ideas.
• A project of this size could support local jobs, tourism, and education funding. MGM Resorts has previously reported $5 billion in contributions to education programs, including $1.6B since 2019.
My vision for Yonkers:
• A real destination for families, racing fans, and visitors
• Outdoor dining, open space, and community gathering areas
• Year-round events that support small business
• Preservation of our harness racing heritage while adding new opportunities
This is a community idea from a retired Yonkers carpenter, Local 2790, who wants to see Yonkers grow.
What do you think — should Yonkers explore bringing this investment back?
Let me know in the comments. Full letter from Day 1 is attached below.
— Frank Spotorno, Yonkers Community Advocate, 10704
Retired Member, Local 2790