“Defend the Excessive Line,” the group opposing the plan by Associated Cos. and Wynn Resorts to construct a on line casino resort on Manhattan’s West Aspect, stated its ranks have swelled to over 5,000.
A part of the Excessive Line space of New York Metropolis. “Defend the Excessive Line,” a on line casino opposition group, says it has greater than 5,000 members. (Picture: NPR)
The group, which is called for the enduring park it’s looking for to guard, is about 5 months outdated, indicating it’s rapidly cobbled collectively assist to guard the Excessive Line. That fortification additionally quantities to opposition to the proposed $12 billion funding within the Western Rail Yards that Associated is pitching. Wynn New York can be the centerpiece of that improvement, assuming it procures certainly one of three downstate on line casino licenses which have but to be awarded.
The overwhelming assist of 5,000 voices displays the deep and broad neighborhood resistance to this plan,” stated Alan van Capelle, govt director of Mates of the Excessive Line, in an announcement. “Folks from all walks of life are united in rejecting proposals that threaten the Excessive Line’s distinctive character and fail to uphold the values of neighborhood enter in how our neighborhood grows.”
Van Capelle added that assist for the group’s efforts has grown and backers hail from throughout New York Metropolis — not simply the Excessive Line space.
Coronary heart of Opposition to Wynn NYC On line casino
Defend the Excessive Line’s opposition to the Associated/Wynn on line casino mission largely boils down to 2 points. First, the group is worried that the proposed towers, together with one that will bear the Wynn title, would block views of the Excessive Line.
Second, the group argues that Associated isn’t following by means of on a 2009 settlement the developer struck with the town. Underneath the phrases of that accord, the actual property agency would have constructed 3,454 to five,700 housing models on the location, however the proposal that includes the on line casino plan requires simply 1,500 models. Some critics of the on line casino plan consider the 2009 settlement was a best-of-both-worlds proposal as a result of it allotted for extra housing with out threatening the Excessive Line’s iconic views.
“The Defend the Excessive Line marketing campaign advocates for improvement that respects the 2009 rezoning settlement, preserves the park’s integrity, and prioritizes public profit, together with commitments to inexpensive housing,” stated the group within the Thursday press launch. “Transferring ahead, the marketing campaign will proceed to have interaction stakeholders, amplify neighborhood voices, and push for a planning course of that facilities the wants of the general public.”
Defend the Excessive Line just lately commissioned polling on the problem and the outcomes point out {that a} majority of West Aspect residents don’t desire a on line casino within the neighborhood.
Wynn NYC On line casino Has Supporters, Too
As is the case with practically the entire New York Metropolis-area on line casino proposals, the Associated/Wynn mission has detractors and supporters.
Whereas neighborhood teams and native politicians are firmly towards the gaming venue, some supporters consider it could be an necessary income generator by way of serving to the homeless within the space. Moreover, labor teams see a chance for substantial job creation.
Earlier this yr, Associated cautioned that if the on line casino element is eliminated, it’s unlikely to maneuver ahead with a significant improvement on the Western Rail Yards.
