Developers have big plans for former great hotel

The remains of the once popular Concord Hotel

The ruins of the former Concord Hotel are a sad reminder to many in the Sullivan County  of what was once a great and popular resort . But more than that it also represents the false promises of many potential developers to return to glory this once popular Catskill resort destination.

But for decades the idea of bringing casino gambling to the area has failed. However, there’s a new player apparently willing to roll the dice to resurrect this depressed rural community.

Thursday evening in Monticello, officials with Entertainment Properties Trust and Empire Resorts unveil their plans to build a $600 million hotel resort. The plan also includes relocating the Monticello Racetrack and Racino to 1,500 acres of land Entertainment Properties already owns.

“We’re setting out a vision that’s really going to make this a destination for the entire region. We’re doing this backed by an owner, an investor; Entertainment Properties Trust that has the capital to move this project forward,” said project architect Jim Tinson.

“This project is much more than a casino. It’s a village that has every amenity you can imagine,” said Cellini.

However, one potential obstacle this project must clear is a $1.5 billion lawsuit filed this week against Entertainment Properties Trust and Empire Resorts by developer Louis Cappelli. Cappelli had plans to build his own gambling complex at the site, But it never happened.

“If the two of them could sit down together and work this out. I’ve tried to do that for several months now but to no avail,” said Cellini

Nonetheless, Entertainment Properties Trust and Empire Resorts said they’re optimistic with state approvals they’ll be able to break ground on the project by the end of the year.