YONKERS, NY-In an effort to remain competitive and generate economic benefits for the city, the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (IDA) board approved a resolution to negotiate an economic development incentive package for the expansion of the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway at 810 Yonkers Ave.

If the plan reaches final approval, the expansion would create a new 60,000-square-foot east wing at the casino, which would include 30,000 square feet of gaming space, 20,000 square feet of food and beverage space and 10,000 square feet of office and storage space, according to the Yonkers IDA. In total, the new wing would include 400 new gaming tables and 350 video lottery terminal machines here.

And with mounting pressure from the forthcoming Aqueduct Racino in Queens and a potential casino just a few miles away at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, Yonkers Mayor Philip A. Amicone, chairman of the Yonkers IDA, tells GlobeSt.com that the casino expansion will create new jobs for the city while protecting “an important local business facing a direct competitive threat.”