Casino bid gets resounding rejection from Midtown community board

Community Board 4 recommends rejecting plans for a full-scale, full-service casino near The High Line

A rendering of green space that would be part of the casino complex.

Courtesy: Related Companies and Wynn Resorts

Manhattan Community Board 4 recommended rejecting plans on Monday to upzone part of the area and potentially allow a developer to build a full-scale, full-service casino near The High Line. The advisory body voted unanimously against the casino plan for an undeveloped area near the linear public park on the West Side. With its advisory vote, the board is asking the city to deny Related Companies’ rezoning application that would enable the developer, along with Wynn Resorts, to build a $12 billion full-scale, casino-based complex.

Community members who long opposed the plan celebrated the board’s decision as a victory for their cause.

“I’m heartened that the community board takes its job so seriously and did such a thorough investigation in the details of this plan,” said Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line, adding that the decision came without any conditions.

However, the board’s vote is only advisory — meaning Related could still proceed with its massive proposal, which features three skyscrapers, a hotel, public park and, as its centerpiece, a full-service casino, provided the plan receives final approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council at the conclusion of the uniform land use review process (ULURP).

Nonetheless, van Capelle still feels good about the odds of the casino plan going bust.

“This is an advisory opinion, but it’s important because it’s the first opportunity the community has to make its voice heard during this land-use review process,” he said. “Our elected officials, the borough president and the city council member, deeply believe in the power of community boards, and about what they have to say.”

What does Related say?

Related maintains that their affordable housing plan remains unchanged from 2009. The company has also said during public and private meetings that the 2009 plan is “not feasible,” meaning it can not be financed because the market does not support it.

Natalie Ravitz, a spokesperson for Related, said the company still plans to move the project along through the approval process, adding that the board often rejects projects that would “bring opportunity” to the West Side.

“While many of their ideas are not fiscally feasible to implement, we welcome feedback and elements that can make this project and neighborhood better,” she said. “We are focused on moving forward with local elected officials, who have been committed to pursuing realistic plans that deliver the jobs, housing and community improvements New York needs today.”

Why did Community Board 4 reject the rezoning changes?

There are multiple reasons the board said “no” to Related’s zoning bid.

Many reasons stem from a 2009 agreement between Related and the city. Residents have said Related is altering the deal by proposing taller buildings and adding the signature piece: the casino. Stakeholders have said the area’s integrity and charm are also at stake. van Capelle explained that twenty percent of the High Line wraps around the proposed project’s location, making it important to protect the green space.

“It’s really important to protect a public amenity like the High Line,” he said.

van Capelle said Friends of the High Line wants to see the area developed in a “responsible way” that meets the community’s needs.

“We want those thousands of union jobs. We want thousands of permanent jobs,” he said. “And we also want to maintain the magic of the High Line that would be gravely threatened by this development.”

Conclusion

The rejection of the casino plan by Community Board 4 is a significant setback for Related Companies and Wynn Resorts. While the company may still proceed with its proposal, the board’s advisory vote sends a strong message that the community is opposed to the plan. Friends of the High Line and other stakeholders are urging Related to withdraw its application and work with the community on a new proposal that prioritizes public good.

FAQs

Q: What is the proposed casino complex?
A: The proposed casino complex would feature three skyscrapers, a hotel, public park, and a full-service casino.

Q: Why did Community Board 4 reject the rezoning changes?
A: The board rejected the rezoning changes due to concerns about the impact on the High Line, the integrity of the area, and the community’s needs.

Q: What does Related say about the rejection?
A: Related maintains that their affordable housing plan remains unchanged from 2009 and that they will continue to move the project along through the approval process.

Q: What is the next step for the project?
A: The project will proceed through the uniform land use review process (ULURP), where it will receive final approval from the City Planning Commission and the City Council.