A $12 billion casino and entertainment complex proposed for Manhattan’s Hudson Yardshas hit a significant obstacle after Community Board 4 (CB4) unanimously voted against a zoning change required for the project.
The ambitious proposal by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts includes an 80-story tower with a gaming facility and hotel, surrounded by office buildings, apartment towers, and a 5.6-acre park. However, opponents argue the project would disrupt the carefully planned neighborhood and harm the environment.
CB4’s rejection, while advisory, poses a potential death blow to the project. Final approval hinges on consent from the City Council and the Mayor’s administration.
The plan faced intense backlash due to its potential impact on The High Line, a beloved elevated park near the proposed development site. Alan van Capelle, Executive Director of Friends of The High Line, warned that the complex “would do permanent damage to the High Line experience.”
Similarly, Joshua David, Co-Founder of The High Line, criticized the project for replacing a thoughtfully designed mixed-use neighborhood with what he described as a gaudy, Las Vegas-style development unfit for Manhattan’s West Side. He told the New York Post: “If we wanted to live in Las Vegas, we would live in Las Vegas.”
CB4 also raised concerns about the loss of approximately 4,000 planned residential units and significant environmental impacts, including “catastrophic traffic and air quality issues.”
Related Companies defended the proposal, accusing the community board of stifling progress.
“The community board has a long track record of opposing projects that would bring opportunity to the West Side. We are focused on moving forward with local elected officials who are committed to realistic plans delivering the jobs, housing, and community improvements New York needs today,” Related Companies said in a statement.
The Hudson Yards proposal is among several contenders competing for one of three highly sought-after state casino licenses. Other notable bids include Steve Cohen’s ambitious $8 billion casino project near Citi Field, the Thor Equities consortium’s plan for a casino on Coney Island, and Bally’s proposed casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
Other contenders include MGM Resorts and Genting’s existing racetrack slots parlors, which seek to expand to live table games, and high-profile proposals in Times Square, Uniondale, and Manhattan’s West Side.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/01/08/91129-new-york-community-board-rejects-12-billion-casino-complex-at-hudson-yards
