legislation

The proposed facility, which would combine wagering facilities with a restaurant, would be the NJSEA's second, joining the six-month-old Favorites at Woodbridge in the Fords section of that township. It would be similar to Favorites, although somewhat larger than the 23,000-sf Woodbridge location.

Local officials say the city council will make a decision by May 15 on whether to approve the facility. As part of the process, the privately owned site will also need to be remediated to meet state standards for commercial sites. And NJSEA officials say the facility, which is expected to create upwards of 100 jobs, would be operational from six months to one year, once all state and local approvals have been received.

The NJSEA recently lost a bid for its second OTW facility when officials in Green Brook, in Somerset County, declined to approve it, citing opposition from that township's residents.