Wynn NYC Casino Plan Opposed by Borough President Levine

• Wynn/Related New York casino plan may have suffered another setback
• Levine rejects necessary zoning alterations

The proposal to by Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts to bring a casino hotel to Hudson Yards area of New York City suffered a blow today when Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said he’s opposed to the zoning changes needed to solidify a path forward for the gaming venue.

Last April, the New York City Council signed off on the “Gaming Facility Text Amendment,” which would open the door for casino resorts to be constructed in specific areas throughout the five boroughs. That doesn’t preclude borough leadership from not approving various proposals for gaming venues.

In the case of the Related/Wynn pitch, the real estate developer is seeking an alteration to Section 93-58 of the New York City Zoning Resolution, which would allow for changes to the property’s ground floor and open space requirements. Levine cited New York’s housing shortage as one reason for his opposition to rezoning Western Rail Yards.

Across Manhattan, rental vacancy hovers at under 2%, while average rents sit at nearly $5,000 per month,” he said in a statement. “There is no getting around the fact that we must create more housing, including affordable housing, to meet the need we see across the city. Failure means becoming a city where our children will not be able to afford to live.”

Under a 2009 agreement with the city, Related promised to deliver between 3,454 and 5,700 housing units, but the casino bid trims that estimate to just 1,500, including 324 deemed “affordable.”

Opposition Mounts to Wynn New York Casino Plan

With just a couple of exceptions, the bulk of the New York City casino proposals are opposed in some form and the Related/Wynn bid is no exception. It might be among the most rejected as local politicians and community groups such as Protect The High Line are averse to a gaming venue at Western Rail Yards.

“The Related/Wynn proposal, which includes a casino and high-rise towers, would significantly alter the character of the High Line, obstructing views, reducing sunlight, and eliminating thousands of previously promised housing units,” according to a statement. “Unlike the 2009 rezoning agreement—crafted with community input—the new plan was introduced without meaningful engagement from local stakeholders.”

Alan van Capelle, the executive director of Friends of the High Line, said the Wynn/Related effort is “misguided.” For how long Protect The High Line has Levine as an ally remains to be seen because he’s running for city comptroller.

Land Use Issues Loom Large in NYC Casino Process

It’s hoped that the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) will soon open the bidding window for three downstate casino permits and that the commission will award the licenses later this year.

The New York Gaming Facility Location Board is tasked with evaluating venue suitability and making recommendations to the commission, but final say rests with the NYSGC. It’s becoming clear that land use issues figure prominently into the equation.

In addition to the Related/Wynn plan, efforts to bring gaming venues to the Bronx and Queens face unanswered land use questions while critics claim Las Vegas Sands’ pitch for a Long Island casino could be harmful to the environment and water supply.