Tioga Downs will break ground at 11 AM today on a new parking garage. It’s a good faith effort by owner Jeff Gural to show the state that his bid for a casino license is sincere. For Tioga Downs it’s the next step in expanding their facility. The next phase of construction plans for a new hotel. Gural has been the area’s most vocal proponent of legalizing casino style gaming in New York State. After the issue finally went to a statewide vote earlier this month, and passed, several other parties have come forth expressing the same interest in acquiring the casino license destined for the Southern Tier region. Last week Traditions at the Glen announced it would submit a proposal to Albany, and earlier this month a hotel owner in downtown Binghamton announced they would be applying for the license. Proposals are due next month, and a decision could be made as early as this Spring.
