New York: Hudson Yards casino proposal gains momentum with City Planning Commission approval

Wynn Resorts' proposed casino development on Manhattan’s West Side moved a step closer to realization this week, as the New York City Planning Commission voted in favor of zoning modifications for the Western Rail Yards site in Hudson Yards.

The decision paves the way for the project, spearheaded by Related Companies, Oxford Properties Group, and Wynn, to compete for one of the highly sought-after downstate casino licenses.

The CPC’s vote, while not a final approval for a gaming facility, signals city support for the land-use changes needed to redevelop the site located between 11th and 12th Avenues and 30th to 33rd Streets, adjacent to the High Line. The proposal includes plans for a gaming resort, housing units, and expansive green space.

“While this is a significant proposal before us this morning, the scope of what we’re actually voting on is much narrower,” said CPC Chair Dan Garodnick during the Wednesday meeting. “Our vote is on land use actions to allow for this site to compete with other regional applications for a gaming license, and in the alternative, to ensure a site plan that delivers for the public.”

According to the developers, the commission “overwhelmingly voted” in favor of the zoning amendments. The project backers claim the development would create thousands of union jobs, generate thousands of new housing units, and contribute close to $200 million in community benefits.

“Today marks a critical milestone for Hudson Yards West,” said Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies. “Thanks to the collaborative process with City Planning, we are closer than ever to delivering on this historic investment in our community, which will create thousands of new union jobs, thousands of units of new housing, a huge new public green space park, and nearly $200 million of community benefits.”

While the CPC decision advances the local planning process, the casino itself would still require approval through a separate and more competitive state-run licensing process.

The development team also highlighted the financial impact the project could have on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which is currently grappling with budgetary pressures, including a pending $68.4 billion capital plan.

A representative for the Hudson Yards West project said the casino could contribute $2.7 billion in revenue to the MTA, citing projected income from rental payments, sales taxes, and other sources tied to construction on MTA-owned rail yard property.

Developers also proposed that 1% of gross gaming revenue from the future casino would be allocated to community organizations in nearby neighborhoods such as Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and the broader West Side.

Despite the momentum from the CPC vote, the proposal continues to draw opposition from some community groups and preservation advocates. Protect the High Line, a nonprofit organization advocating for a return to the original 2009 Hudson Yards development vision, which excluded a casino and stressed public open space, voiced its disapproval.