Trump Organization offloads Bronx golf course to on line casino firm with NYC aspirations

NEW YORK — The Trump Organization has bought its proper to function a public golf course within the Bronx, metropolis officers confirmed, offloading management of the publicly-owned property to an organization that’s searching for to construct a on line casino in New York City.

Bally’s Corporation, a gaming and leisure firm, will take over the job of operating the 18-hole course, often known as Trump Golf Links Ferry Point, in response to a spokesperson for town’s comptroller. The phrases of the lease switch weren’t instantly accessible.

The deal appeared to mark a decision within the metropolis’s battle to rid the course of its affiliation with the previous president, whose bold-faced title has for years greeted drivers passing the course on the Whitestone Bridge.

Following the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio mentioned he would scrap the contract with the Trump Organization, claiming that Trump’s incitement of rioters gave town authorized authority to take action.

That argument was rejected by a state decide final yr, a ruling that might have allowed the Trump Organization to function the course by way of the expiration of its lease in 2035.

News of the Trump Organization’s choice to voluntarily relinquish its working rights drew cheers from some New York Democrats.

In a press release, metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander mentioned he was “delighted that Trump’s name will no longer deface city parkland.”

Emailed inquiries to Bally’s and the Trump Organization weren’t returned.

Earlier this yr, Bally’s advised the New York Times it had reached a deal to take over a smaller portion of the property, promising to take away Trump’s title provided that they have been awarded one of many extremely coveted on line casino licenses.

Under the brand new deal, Bally’s will take over full operations, administration and upkeep of the golf course, eradicating the Trump Organization from any involvement with the property, in response to the comptroller’s spokesperson.

The deal was permitted by each the comptroller and town’s parks division.