New York: Lawmakers oppose Wynn's $12B casino plan at Hudson Yards over High Line concerns

Two key New York State lawmakers have publicly opposed the proposed casino project by Wynn Resorts and Related Companies at Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s West Side. The opposition centers on concerns about placing a casino, hotel, and residential towers next to the High Line pedestrian park.

Assemblyman Tony Simone, a member of the panel that will decide on the awarding of three downstate casino licenses, expressed his objections, highlighting the potential impact on the neighborhood he represents. Assemblymember Deborah Glick, representing the southern portion of the High Line, echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the environmental implications.

“I’ve been clear: I’m philosophically opposed to a casino on the West Side of Manhattan. The community has been against it and, unless that changes, I’m a no,” Simone wrote.

The proposed Wynn New York City development, estimated at $12 billion, calls for multiple skyscrapers that will yield space for 1,500 apartments, two million square feet of office space, a public school, and a daycare center besides a casino operated by Wynn Resorts.

The 80-story, 1,189-foot supertall Wynn Resort skyscraper would be placed along the northern end of the rail yards by the corner of Eleventh Avenue and West 33rd Street, near the Jacob K. Javits Center and northernmost terminus of the High Line. The structure will span 2.7 million square feet with 1,750 guest rooms along with a conference center, retail, and restaurant space. 

The proposed master plan would rise directly west of the first phase of Hudson Yards, over the 13-acre open-air Western Rail Yards. It is one of 11 projects competing for the three available downstate licenses.

“The High Line is a unique and beloved park intended to get New Yorkers and visitors outside and above the congested streets and sidewalks. Any plans that block views from this distinctive vantage point or allow for building closer to the High Line run counter to the High Line Special District and would significantly alter the experience,” Glick said, as per media reports.

A spokesperson for Related Companies defended the project, asserting its benefits to the community.

“Our proposal to transform the western yards with a massive new park, hundreds of units of affordable housing and development that will generate tens of thousands of jobs, billions in new taxes and community investments, has not even been formally submitted yet, so we would hope our government leaders would wait to read it before forming a judgment,” the spokesperson said.

“We have met with the High Line ten times and made meaningful amendments to our proposal in direct response to concerns they raised. It is our hope that as good neighbors, they would discuss any further concerns with us directly in the spirit of that constructive dialogue.”

The final decision on the casino licenses will involve input from the state Facility Location Board.