Wynn-Backed Casino in Manhattan Faces More Opposition

^{While developers argue that Hudson Yards would be an ideal spot for a casino-resort in Manhattan’s far west side, community representatives do not agree. (Image: Richard Levine / Alamy)}

The Hudson Yards Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) followed in the footsteps of its neighborhood land use committee on Monday night, voting unanimously against approving a zoning change necessary for the building of a casino in the Hudson Yards neighborhood.

The Clinton Hell’s Kitchen Land Use Committee of MCB4 had previously issued its own unanimous verdict against the casino, proposed by Wynn and Related Companies, on December 12.

Local Opposition Strong Against Hudson Yards Casino

Locals in Hudson Yards have argued against the casino proposal since it was first announced, saying that it wipes away a more promising 2009 proposal from Related Companies, one that included 4,000 more housing units than the casino-centric development now on the table.

“A carefully planed mixed-use neighborhood is wiped out for a garish Las Vegas-style monstrosity that has no place on Manhattan’s West Side,” Joshua David, co-founder of The High Line, told The New York Post. “If we wanted to live in Las Vegas, we would live in Las Vegas.”

The High Line has been a central point of tension in regards to the $12 billion proposal, which would include both a gaming facility and a hotel in an 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River. Locals said the development would ruin views from the High Line, the popular elevated park that was built on a former New York Central Railroad spur.

David also said that the project “reeks of greed and disregard for the community.” MCB4 offered additional criticisms in its letter to City Planning Director Dan Garodnick, saying that the environmental impact statement for the project highlighted “catastrophic traffic and air quality impacts on our neighborhoods,” and that “this proposal simply isn’t a fit for this site.”

Related Vows to Press Forward with Casino Proposal

In a statement, Related Companies expressed frustration with the vote, but said it remained open to suggestions. 

“The community board has a long track record of opposing projects that would bring opportunity to the West Side,” Related Companies said in its statement. “While many of their ideas are not fiscally feasible to implement, we welcome feedback and elements that can make this project and neighborhood better.”

Ultimately, MCB4’s vote is only advisory. The final decision lies with the New York City Council along with city planners, who must sign off on any zoning changes. Related Companies says it will continue to advocate for its proposal with those officials.

“We are focused on moving forward with local elected officials, who have been committed to pursuing realistic plans that deliver the jobs, housing, and community improvements New York needs today,” the firm said in its statement. 

Still, the unanimous rejection by MCB4 bodes poorly for the Wynn-backed casino proposal, which is vying for one of three available downstate casino licenses. While other proposals have also run into local opposition, little of it has been as blistering as the community reaction to the Hudson Yards resort. 

Two existing facilities that are already operating as electronic gaming locations – Resorts World New York City and Empire City in Yonkers – are seen as favorites to pick up licenses, as they will require little or no construction to transition into full-fledged casino resorts. 

Other contenders for the licenses include a Ceasars Entertainment proposal in Times Square, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s Metropolitan Park proposal in Queens, and a Las Vegas Sands resort at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island.