Muss Development to Build New Foxwoods Resort in Catskills

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

Scott Butera, Foxwoods Resort Casino president & CEO

Foxwoods Resort Casino and Muss Development L.L.C. have signed a partnership agreement to build a destination resort style casino and hotel on a 500-acre site in Liberty, New York.

The proposed $300 to $600 million deal was struck by Foxwoods Resort Casino president and CEO Scott Butera and Muss Development president Joshua Muss, just days after New York Governor Mario Cuomo introduced legislation to authorize three destination resort casinos in Upstate New York, including one in the Catskills region.

“This is a perfect match for us,” Butera said in a company statement. “Our long-term growth plans include the development of new destination resort casinos called for in the Governor’s plan, and this site is exactly what we’re looking for in terms of size and location.”

Foxwoods, which has recently restructured its operation in Connecticut and owns and operates North American’s largest destination resort casino, has been looking to expand to the New York market for some time. If its joint venture is approved by the legislature, the resort will be built adjacent to the site of the former Grossinger’s Hotel, with a groundbreaking held in a matter of months.

Muss Development owns 50 acres near an 18-hole golf course, where the company once built some model homes for an aborted housing development. The other 450 acres is around the lake that runs behind the long-abandoned hotel.

“We’re long-term players and have held this site for years in the hope of finding the right partner at the right time,” Muss said.  “Foxwoods brings the development, gaming and resort expertise to truly produce a first class experience. Our acreage is situated perfectly for a large-scale gaming and resort project, with additional development possible for workforce and resort style housing.”

According to Butera, the project would produce thousands of construction and permanent jobs for residents throughout the Catskills, including Sullivan and Delaware Counties.

“Recognizing the job-creating economic development potential of more than one casino, the legislature previously approved a plan to site three casinos in the Catskills,” Butera added. “For the Catskills to realize all the economic benefits of a true gaming destination, more than one resort casino should be allowed to operate there. We will continue to work with the governor’s office and members of the legislature to make it happen.”

Whatever plan is adopted by the legislature will be up for voter approval in November.