The High Line Announces Opposition to Wynn New York Casino

Posted on: July 12, 2024, 02:30h. 

Last updated on: July 12, 2024, 09:06h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.

The High Line, a nonprofit group named after a park on the West Side of Manhattan, launched the “Protect the High Line” campaign in opposition to plans by Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts to bring a casino hotel to that part of New York City.

High Line
Part of the High Line area of New York City. Locals there are opposing a plan to bring a casino to the neighborhood. (Image: NPR)

The group claimed the real estate developer and the gaming company are attempting to undo a 2009 pact with the city to develop more housing and protect the Western Rail Yards. Under the terms of that agreement, Related promised to deliver between 3,454 and 5,700 housing units as part of its ongoing development of Hudson Yards.

The plan currently being pushed calls for three towers, two of which would be zoned commercial and one that would have just over 1,500 residential units. One of the towers would be three million square feet and bear the Wynn name.

Related and Wynn Resorts are now applying to the City for approval to replace the original 2009 zoning agreement and make significant changes to the zoning for the Western Rail Yards at Hudson Yards (located between West 30th and West 33rd Street and 11th and 12th Avenues). Their application includes two scenarios, one with a casino and one without,” according a statement issued by the High Line.

Should Wynn not procure one of the three downstate casino permits New York regulators could award late next year, exactly how much development Related will commit to at the site could be up for debate because many of the sites being pitched for New York City-area gaming venues lack allure if casinos are excluded. As such “Plan B’s” are largely perfunctory motions designed to satisfy regulatory requirements and may never see the light of day.

High Line Not Pleased with Either Scenario

The High Line group said there are flaws with both pitches from Related because even without the Wynn casino, the real estate firm could deliver fewer housing units than originally promised while increasing the size of skyscrapers, thus blocking park views.

If the casino is approved, it would be located at the north end of the property and it would be part of a broader $12 billion commitment by Related. It’s expected the gaming venue could command 2.7 million square feet, making it bigger than Wynn Las Vegas.

The High Line isn’t moved by such superlatives, but the group said it’s not opposed to development. Rather, it wants to see the Western Rail Yards developed in such a way that the result is an improvement upon the 2009 agreement.

“We have expressed our concerns directly to Related and feel it is critical to broaden the conversation to include all relevant stakeholders and our community so we can all move forward together with a better plan,” said Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line, in the statement.

Related, Wynn Not Alone in Facing Opposition

From the High Line to Times Square to Queens to Nassau County, proposed downstate casinos are facing varying levels of opposition.

Specific to Related and Wynn, High Line’s formal opposition emerged about three months after Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) questioned the companies’ plans while appearing critical of what it called a “dramatic” reduction in residential units. There are some other hurdles to be cleared on the West Side, and those could take considerable amounts of time to be addressed.

“The proposed rezoning is subject to the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Process, which requires multiple levels of public review, including approval by the City Council. The casino component of the development plan requires the award of a casino license in a competitive process overseen by the State Gaming Commission,” concludes the High Line.