The plan by Associated Cos. and Wynn Resorts to carry a on line casino resort to Manhattan’s Higher West Facet suffered a blow after Manhattan Group Board 4 (MCB4) late Monday voted unanimously to reject the zoning modifications wanted to maneuver the mission ahead.
Renderings of Hudson Yards West, a proposed $12 billion growth that would come with a Wynn Resorts on line casino. Manhattan Group Board 4 rejected zoning modifications for the property. (Picture: Associated Firms)
The vote is essentially symbolic as a result of MCB4 doesn’t have an official say within the downstate on line casino course of, but it surely sends a transparent message that the board is prioritizing enter from locals, together with residents of the Excessive Line space, and that it’s not passionate about Associated’s plan to characteristic considerably fewer residential housing models within the growth than beforehand anticipated.
At this time’s (Monday) ‘no’ vote creates a generational alternative to say ‘sure’ to public-spirited growth that creates jobs to construct new housing and actually public open house, and protects the Excessive Line,” stated Alan Van Capelle, govt director of Associates of the Excessive Line, in a press release. “And I encourage Associated to withdraw its software and be a part of a community-led effort to start out over – rapidly – to reimagine the positioning for public good.”
The New York State Gaming Fee (NYSGC) has the ultimate say on the winners of three downstate on line casino licenses, that are anticipated to be awarded in late 2025.
Manhattan Group Board Vote Isn’t Stunning
Although largely symbolic, the vote by MCB4 isn’t shocking as a result of the board beforehand made clear it takes points with Associated’s plan to probably retreat on an settlement beforehand struck with the town that may have supplied extra housing models.
The true property developer’s $12 billion plan for Western Yards options workplace house and the on line casino proposal when a 2009 pact between the board, the town, and Associated known as for the property to be primarily residential with 5,762 housing models. The latest plan calls for 3 towers, two of which might be zoned industrial and one that may have simply over 1,500 residential models. One of many towers could be three million sq. toes and bear the Wynn identify.
Final yr, Associated introduced a plan to MCB4 that may conform to the 2009 settlement as a result of it included reasonably priced housing, a brand new faculty, and open house — factors the developer has often talked about when discussing the on line casino proposal.
Members of Associates of the Excessive Line balked on the tower proposal, claiming that tall buildings would block residents’ views of the enduring park of the identical identify.
NIMBYism Looms Massive in NYC On line casino Bids
Together with the Associated/Wynn partnership, 11 teams are vying for the three New York Metropolis-area on line casino licenses and lots of have been met with not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) attitudes. In some instances, opposition teams don’t object to the town having casinos – they merely don’t need the gaming venues of their neighborhoods.
Associates of the Excessive Line hasn’t endorsed the concept of New York having casinos, but it surely’s made clear it doesn’t need Associated and Wynn constructing such a venue on the Higher West Facet.
“We’re grateful to Group Board 4 for its historic and brave choice to disclaim Associated’s rezoning software, with out situations,” added Van Capelle. “You could have listened to this group — together with the almost 6000 supporters of our marketing campaign and 3500 individuals who signed a petition calling on you to guard the Excessive Line.”