First things first
Bally’s Corporation has acquired the lease to operate the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx from Donald Trump’s company, the Trump Organization. The exact dollar amount involved has not been made public, but Eric Trump, the disgraced former President’s son, said it was an “exceptional offer.” Speculation has the deal at “tens of millions” of dollars.
One of the first things Bally’s plans to do is change the name of the 180-acre golf course to Bally’s Links and remove the giant stone “TRUMP LINKS” sign that greets visitors as the enter the property. The current lease expires in 2035.
One of the reasons for the name change – aside from there being no reason not to rename it since it is not owned by the Trump Organization anymore – is to get rid of the stink of the twice-impeached ex-game show host who is currently facing 91 federal criminal charges. Bally’s is fighting for one of three New York City-area casino licenses and wants nothing to do with the man who still claims he won the 2020 election.
So now Bally’s has the location – though it’s still just a lease and not pure ownership, as it is public land. To be able to actually build a casino, state lawmakers would have to vote to “alienate” the land, basically removing its “parkland” status. That is certainly not a given, though one would think Bally’s is confident that it will happen or it wouldn’t have spent however many millions it did to buy the lease.
The golf course also isn’t in a good spot for public transportation. According to The New York Times, Bally’s plans to run free shuttles from nearby businesses and shopping centers to the golf course, something that has pleased local officials. Local elected representatives will have to be on board with any casino project for it to get a thumbs-up from the state legislature.
Of course, there are concerns from some. State Senator Nathalia Fernandez told The New York Times, “It’s a pretty residential corner of the Bronx and I’m really concerned for the community, and what good it can do and what bad it can do.”
Local officials pleased
She did say, though, that she was happy that the Trump name will be removed from the golf course and is hoping the rebranding might also bring down the cost to play a round there.
She’s not the only local official who is thrilled to get rid of Trump’s name. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander said in a statement, “I am delighted that Trump’s name will no longer deface city parkland.”
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio previously went to court to try to get Trump’s name removed from the public golf course, arguing that Donald Trump had “engaged in criminal activity” in his role in the January 6 storming of the Capitol.
