View Borough President Stringer and Assemblymember Rosenthal’s press release

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. joins elected officials and community residents and advocates to voice opposition to new Off-Track Betting location on West 72nd Street on Saturday, February 10, 2007. Photo Credit: Karl Crutchfield

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today joined a number of City elected officials and community residents to voice his opposition to a City plan to open an Off-Track Betting facility on the Upper West Side.

“There is no question that this residential block is fundamentally at odds with the function and purpose of a gambling establishment,” Thompson said. “OTB sites must work in the context of the communities in which they are located, and this facility could have a devastating impact on area businesses. The residents of this neighborhood care deeply about the future of a business district they have worked so hard to revitalize. Make no mistake -- the only gambling on this block should be the City’s bet on a local community and the principle of smart growth and development.”

Thompson attended a news conference organized by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal to announce their opposition to the new OTB site at 143 West 72nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.