“Hard Rock is the right balance,” Holliday said. “Its recognized brand and quality entertainment will attract younger and older players across the stratum. People flying in from JFK will say, ‘I hear there’s a Hard Rock, I want to see it.’”
And, with an established relationship with Con Edison and a guarantee to complete its preliminary phase eight months after the bid is awarded, Holliday added the project would be “shovel-ready, in the ground, the day after the award.”
The preliminary phase of the SL Green-Hard Rock plan, with construction provided by New York-based Tishman Construction, includes a two-entrance facility, approximately 1,500 to 2,000 video lottery terminals, a food court, memorabilia bars — stocked with relics from famous musical acts — and a Player’s Club.
Phase one, scheduled to open 18 months after the kick-off of the initial facility, will bring bigger additions: a marketplace buffet, casino, small stage, lavish center bar with skylight dome ceiling and the requisite total of 4,500 VLT’s. Outside, a five-story parking garage will hold 2,000 cars and the brand’s trademark towering Fender-style sign will be visible from the A train — which, coincidentally, Hard Rock is considering refurbishing in order to create a separate exit that leads directly from the subway station to the venue.
In the more distant future, residents and revelers would get a chance to experience or scoff at the facilities Hard Rock is famous for — a large hotel, thousands of square feet of “good, destination” retail, a 3,500-seat theater and conference space and an additional 4,000-car garage.
Jack Friedman, executive vice president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, told the bidder it is imperative they hire outside companies, such as sanitation and pest control, that have Queens connections. He also stressed the borough’s need for something other than a “slots in a box” venue.
“Queens isn’t a destination area, but we want to see that change so people don’t just run to Manhattan and not spend money in Queens,” Friedman said. “Aqueduct is the prime opportunity.”
Although there has been talk that Gov. David Paterson would select a bidder after Labor Day, his representative said proposals are still being reviewed and a decision deadline has not been declared.
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