Two public development projects are in the works that will indelibly change the character of New York City. Both are fraught with political and economic riskszoome, and both will strike a nerve with many New Yorkers.

The first is the closing of the notorious Rikers Island jail complex. The city’s plan, which includes relocating the incarcerated population to jails in the boroughs, faces a deadline of Aug. 31, 2027. Neighborhood opposition and lukewarm support from Mayor Eric Adams have bedeviled this undertaking. But the imperative to close the jail complex is urgent, as conditions continue to deteriorate. Nineteen people died after being placed in New York City’s jail system this year alone.

Also, a bidding process is about to begin that will almost certainly result in New York City having its first legal full-fledged casino in its 400-year history. No longer will New Yorkers have to travel to Philadelphia, Atlantic City or Connecticut to enjoy the pleasures of live blackjack, roulette, poker or craps.

Efforts by the city and state to make way for one or more casinos have been met with opposition from groups concerned about traffic congestion and increased neighborhood crime. The Shubert Organization, a major owner of theaters, and the Broadway League, the trade association for the Broadway theater industry, have come out in opposition to a proposed casino in Times Square. More opposition will certainly arise. Other possible locations include Hudson Yards and Coney Island. Like closing Rikers, the effort to bring a casino to the city will require political leadership, compromise and a fair bit of creative thinking.

There is, however, one solution that could boost the city’s efforts to close Rikers, generate hundreds of millions of dollars for its coffers and isolate the new casino from every neighborhood in New York City.

The city should build a large Las Vegas-style hotel and casino complex on Rikers after the jail complex is shut down.

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