More than 70 people tuned in to the Newburgh Town Board meeting Monday night for the public hearing regarding zoning changes for Resorts World.

Resorts World Hudson Valley is an electronic gaming casino being proposed to take up 90,000 square feet in the Newburgh Mall.

The zoning changes would amend sections 185-3, definitions, to add New York State Gambling Commission and New York State Lottery licensed video lottery gaming facilities as a permitted use in the Interchange Business Zoning District in Shopping Center having in excess of 500 parking spaces. The local law will also amend the defection of “shopping center” and adds definitions for “Video Lottery Gaming Facility”.

The public hearing opened with Meghan Taylor, Resorts World vice president for government affairs, listing the main concerns as impact on traffic, property values and responsible gambling.

A traffic and parking analysis has been conducted and submitted to the town, which states there is ample parking and there won’t be a significant impact on peak hour traffic conditions.

Resorts World has already been contacted by multiple businesses interested in occupying space within the mall, causing more tenants and therefore positively affecting the value of the existing mall and the surrounding area, said Taylor in regards to concern for property values.

“We want our patrons to have an enjoyable and responsible gaming experience,” Taylor said. “We are committed to prohibiting underage gambling.”

Even though a traffic report has been obtained, Robert Acker, a local engineer, still suspects traffic will be an issue, and is concerned that the Newburgh buses, which are currently used by shoppers and commuters, won’t be able to handle the extra load. His second concern was the possible use of fake I.D.’s.

“When we get 16 and 17 year olds with fake I.D.’s I see this becoming a significant hassle for our existing security and police officers,” Acker stated.

“The mall is a sad place today as it is. I know we need construction jobs and I know the mall needs to be revitalized, I just don’t think this is the way to do it,” resident Michelle Agosta said. “I would hope that we could find it in our hearts and in our minds to find a better way for our community to move forward in revitalizing a very sad place which is the Newburgh mall right now.”

Despite some concerns, Resorts World was supported by many of the public speakers at Monday’s meeting. Around 200 jobs will be generated due to the casino, one of the biggest reasons for support. The 200 full-time jobs would have an average salary of $74,000 a year, resulting in a total of almost $15.5 million in annual wages in the Town of Newburgh.

Alan Seidman, executive director of Construction Contractors Association, spoke in favor of the project, stating that many of his members could obtain some of the work.

“I can’t think of a downside to it,” Seidman said. “Gambling can be a problem, but gambling will happen. I’d rather see them spend their money here than in Pennsylvania or Connecticut.”