A group of Manhattan residents has expressed their opposition to the proposed casino in Hudson Yards. They are dissatisfied with Related Companies, which has reduced the number of homes included in the original development agreement.
For context, in the rezoning deal from 2009, the developer Related Companies and New York City committed to building approximately 5,800 apartments in Hudson Yards, with around 300 designated as affordable.
However, Related and Wynn Resorts now seek to establish a casino by applying for a full-scale commercial gambling licence in New York. They plan to utilise the undeveloped western railyard area for the project, which would reduce the number of apartments to approximately 1,500.
Manhattan Locals Oppose Hudson Yards Casino
A casino complex in Hudson Yards would reduce the total number of units, although the affordable properties would remain unchanged. Nevertheless, local community leaders are far from satisfied with the drastic reduction in housing units. They made their position clear at a City Planning Commission hearing this week.
Here’s what Brian Mattlin, president of the 200 West 25th Street Block Association, stated during the hearing:
“The most intricate plans and beautiful renderings cannot disguise the fact that this latest Related-Wynn plan for the western rail yards is a betrayal of the public trust that allowed Related to build on the eastern rail yards in the first place.”
Meanwhile, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and the local community board have expressed opposition to the project for the same reasons. Moreover, Mattlin remarked, “We need the 5,000-plus units that were anticipated in the original 2009 plan — and more.” He reminded everyone that the city is facing a severe housing crisis, with soaring rents and low vacancy rates.
Related’s Response
In response to the comments from the Manhattan groups, a spokesperson for Related stated that the cost of the land itself and the US$2 billion platform for the new site necessitated commercial initiatives. These initiatives are crucial to bringing the residential units to fruition.
Andy Rosen, Chief Operating Officer for Hudson Yards, commented on the matter:
“It's very challenging to make the numbers work. We're subsidising the land for that residential building with the commercial space. That's how we're making that financial equation work.”
In addition to the gambling facility, the developers also put forward plans for office, residential, and hotel space, along with a new park and a public school. On Wednesday, they suggested an alternative plan without a casino. This is because the proposed casino must first obtain approvals from the city and subsequently from the New York State Gaming Commission.
Representatives attempted to sway the argument in their favour by promising that the gambling venue would generate over 35,000 union construction jobs, as well as thousands of long-term positions at the resort.
Meanwhile, those opposing the project are dissatisfied with the decision to reduce the number of homes and are demanding a higher percentage of affordable units. Furthermore, others against the gaming resort have expressed concerns that the complex would obstruct views from the High Line and possibly cast a shadow over the linear park.
Proponents Share Their Perspective
Despite the opposition, the project has some serious advocates, including companies that promise to create jobs and affordable housing. Additionally, Related and Wynn have also pledged to invest 1% of their gross gambling revenue back into the local economy. This could generate approximately US$200 million in the first ten years.
32BJ, the union behind building workers, also voiced its support for the plan during Wednesday’s hearing. But they were not the only ones, as the Women in Need, New York City’s largest family shelter and supportive housing provider, also backed the project.
WIN is one of the community organisations which would benefit from the gaming profits. Maya Jasinska, Director of Policy and Research for the group, said this during the hearing:
“ This plan calls for the construction of hundreds of new, affordable housing units, the creation of 5,000 permanent union careers in the resort — a majority of which would not require a college degree, as well as the $200 million community benefits package.”
Critics are Not Convinced
However, those against the project insist that it will do little to resolve or help New York’s undergoing housing crisis. Other community members claim that the developers pulled a bait-and-switch after initially offering a more community-orientated plan for Hudson Yards over a decade ago. Thus gaining public and city approval for the project’s first stage.
Layla Law-Gisiko, President of the City Club of New York, a local organisation focused on land usage and preservation matters, commented that the project would “actively undermine the principles of responsible urban planning.” She explained this was not a small change and instead was a fundamental defaulting of the commitments made to the people and the city.
The Deal is Far from Sealed
However, the casino part of the proposal is far from certain. To be able to launch a casino in Hudson Yards, Related and Wynn must first receive a full-scale commercial casino license from the New York State’s Gambling Commission.
After issuing the four casino licenses for upstate New York, the state’s gaming regulator is now looking to award three for the downstate region. And there are plenty of candidates. Besides Hudson Yards, there are proposals to launch a casino in Coney Island, Nassau County, Bronx, Broadway, Citi Field, and more. There are also proposals to expand the existing Resorts World New York City in Queens and Empire State Casino in Yonkers.
The gambling commission must first review the proposal and weigh on the community backing of each. Only then will the regulator be able to issue the three licenses to three of the proposals.
