EarthTimes -- Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: NYNY) has been informed that its joint venture partner, Concord Associates L.P. , has received approval from The Thompson Planning Board to proceed with construction of the Concord-Empire Hotel and Casino project in phases. Under the amended site plan, a 500-room resort hotel, casino, spa and race track would be built during the first phase, which is expected to occur within the next 18 to 24 months. Future phases would encompass construction of the ballrooms, the 1000-seat theater, the 7,500-seat multi-purpose entertainment center and up to 4,000 spaces in two parking garages.
