The plan by Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts to bring a casino hotel to the Upper West Side of Manhattan suffered a blow after Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) late Monday voted unanimously to reject the zoning changes needed to move the project forward.
The vote is largely symbolic because MCB4 doesnât have official say in the downstate casino process, but sends a clear message that the board is prioritizing input from locals, including residents of the High Line area, and that itâs not enthusiastic about Relatedâs plan to feature significantly fewer residential housing units in the development than previously expected.
Todayâs (Monday) ânoâ vote creates a generational opportunity to say âyesâ to public-spirited development that creates jobs to build new housing and truly public open space, and protects the High Line,â said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line, in a statement. âAnd I encourage Related to withdraw its application and join a community-led effort to start over â quickly â to reimagine the site for public good.â
The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) has final say on the winners of three downstate casino licenses, which are expected to be awarded in late 2025.
Manhattan Community Board Vote Note Surprising
Though largely emblematic, the vote by MCB4 isnât surprising because the board previously made clear it takes issues with the Related plan to potentially retreat on agreement previously struck with the city that would have provided more housing units.
The real estate developerâs $12 billion plan for Western Yards features office space and the casino proposal when a 2009 pact between the board, the city, and Related called for the property to be primarily residential with 5,762 housing units. The newest plan 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.
Last year, Related presented a plan to MCB4 that would conform to the 2009 agreement because it included affordable housing, a new school, and open space â points the developer has frequently mentioned when discussing the casino proposal.
Members of Friends of the High Line balked at the tower proposal, claiming that tall buildings would block residentsâ views of the iconic park of the same name.
NIMBYism Looms Large in NYC Casino Bids
Including the Related/Wynn partnership, 11 groups are vying for the three New York City-area casino licenses and many have been met with not in my backyard (NIMBY) attitudes. In some cases, opposition groups donât object to the city having casinos â they simply donât want the gaming venues in their neighborhoods.
Friends of the High Line hasnât endorsed the idea of New York having casinos, but itâs made clear it doesnât want Related and Wynn building such a venue on the Upper West Side.
âWe are grateful to Community Board 4 for its historic and courageous decision to deny Relatedâs rezoning application, without conditions,â added Van Capelle. âYou have listened to this community â including the nearly 6000 supporters of our campaign and 3500 people who signed a petition calling on you to protect the High Line.â
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