Hudson Yards Casino Project Gets Rezoning Approval

Wynn’s casino resort project received a critical approval last week when the New York City Planning Commission approved a rezoning application for a casino complex at Hudson Yards.

Green Light

After several weeks of criticism from politicians and activists in the Hudson Yards area, the casino project spearheaded by New York-based real estate investment companies, Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group, along with Las Vegas-based gaming icon, Wynn Entertainment, received some good news.

The New York City Planning Commission approved the “Hudson Yards West” rezoning plans by a 9-4 margin, paving the way for consideration of one of the downstate casino licenses to be awarded later this year.

Commission Chair Dan Garodnick emphasized that the Commission was not voting on whether to allow a casino. “While this is a significant proposal before us this morning, the scope of what we’re actually voting on is much narrower,” he said. “It is therefore our responsibility to help create the best site plan possible for this large project on a site that is limited by an active railway right below, and which has significant existing development rights for both residential and commercial activity.”

There are currently 11 casino projects bidding for just three licenses, but many industry insiders believe two of those licenses are likely to be granted to the two racinos currently operating, MGM Empire City at Yonkers Raceway and Resorts World New York City Casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens.

Currently, those racinos are only allowed to offer video lottery terminals, similar to slot machines, but are not allowed to offer live table games or a sportsbook. Retail sports betting is limited to just eight locations throughout New York State, while mobile sports betting has been operable since January 2022. Online casino gambling has not yet been approved in the Empire State.

Critics Persist

Although the rezoning approval was an important hurdle to overcome, support for the Hudson Yards West project still faces opposition from local politicians and community activists. City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander has recently voiced his displeasure concerning the project.

“The proposal to rezone Hudson Yards would undermine one of New York’s greatest urban transformation stories of recent years — and, even worse, dramatically decrease the amount of housing that was agreed upon there, amidst a grave housing affordability crisis,” said Lander, a progressive candidate who is running for mayor in June’s Democratic primary.

“I call on the developer to withdraw their current proposal and to work with the community on one that delivers more housing and access to open space, not less.”

Lander is referencing two of the most common complaints about the project, with the first being the area’s High Line, which has been transformed from an old railway line that rises above the city floor and spans approximately 1 ½ miles, replete with green space and urban art. Opponents believe the Hudson Yards West project’s 80-story sky-piercing edifice will diminish the High Line.

Lander also cites the original proposal that was made by Related Companies back in 2009, which included 5,700 housing units, but that number has been reduced to 1,500, with 324 designated as affordable housing.

That reduction in housing has not sat well with many of the local activists and lawmakers who believe the spirit of the agreement has been breached in exchange for commercial profit.