Passed by a vote of 9-4 on April 9, W42ST reports that the measure would amend a plan first tabled in 2009 for additional houses in New York. Instead, space would be given to allow for other facilities, including a potential Wynn casino.
The site at the undeveloped western portion of Hudson Yards could see 3,000 fewer housing units built. Instead, there would be a largely commercial development, with the option to pursue a casino license through a state-led process.
Related Companies, which submitted the proposal with Wynn, said that the initial plan is no longer financially viable. This is due to its reliance on selling luxury condos to fund a platform over the active rail yards
However, Related and Wynn will not be having it all their own way. The Department of City Planning (DCP) put forward several recommendations. These include splitting a block-long building at the site’s northern edge and lowering its height. It also proposed adding a new public space at the northeast of the site.
Commission Chair: Not a Casino Vote
Speaking at the meeting, Commission Chair Dan Garodnick said attendees were not voting on whether to permit a new casino. Instead, he said the focus was on how to best use the development area.
“While this is a significant proposal before us, the scope of what we’re 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.”
Opposition Remains to Casino Project
While this will be seen as a positive step for Wynn, the reality is that the operator remains some way off securing approval to move ahead with the proposed development.
In January, the Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4) voted overwhelmingly to reject the proposed casino and entertainment complex. MCB4 chair Jessica Chait, who was present at this week’s meeting, thanked the commissioners who opposed the proposal.
“We especially echo Commissioner Mann’s comments and agree that a win-win outcome is achievable,” Chait said. “The applicant and City Hall should reflect on today’s vote and recognize that their proposal is not in the best interest of the city.”
However, Paul Devlin, co-chair of MCB4’s Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen Land Use Committee, was more critical of the decision to approve the plan. He spoke of his disappointment over the local government’s position on the project.
“It’s disappointing that our government leaders have spent so much time trying to figure out a way to eliminate the production of housing, rather than working towards finding a solution to build a plan that was approved over 15 years ago,” he said.
