Empire Plans Catskills Resort

Empire Resorts and Concord Associates announced plans to develop a $700 million destination resort in the Catskill Mountains, on a site currently occupied by the abandoned Concord Hotel. The new resort is expected to open in 2010 with a $700 million "Entertainment City" including a casino, convention center, 125-room hotel and spa, golf, retail stores and restaurants.

Empire has attempted to reach a development deal in the area for years, and said the new project would provide 3,000 jobs and turn the Catskills into a thriving destination resort area. Empire said it would close a harness track currently operating in the area, and build a new track at the proposed development site.