New bids sought for Aqueduct project

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP/1010 WINS) -- The Paterson administration is requesting new bids to develop and operate video lottery machines at the Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.

The New York Lottery says bids will be evaluated based on predetermined public criteria by a committee of lottery and Budget Division officials. The agency plans to make a recommendation to Gov. David Paterson in 12 weeks, with all bids disclosed after that.

In March, Paterson's administration dropped its support for the Aqueduct Entertainment Group to build and operate up to 4,500 video slot machines at the racetrack after lottery officials identified licensing problems for the consortium. It had been chosen by Paterson and legislative leaders from a half-dozen bidders on the racino.