Hudson Yards Casino Proposal Would ‘Undermine’ Neighborhood: NYC Comptroller

^{New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander Opposes a Wynn-backed casino in Hudson Yards. (Image: Lev Radin / Pacific Press)}

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has called for the Related Companies and Wynn to end their bid to build a casino in Hudson Yards, saying that the plan has too little housing compared to other proposals for the area.

Lander, who is running for mayor of New York City, shared his views in a statement sent to the New York Daily News.

Lander Repeats Common Critiques of Hudson Yards Proposal

In the statement, Lander pointed to many of the same reasons that have fueled the strong public opposition to the Hudson Yards project. Related and Wynn are proposing a casino complex along with office space, as well as a park and some residential units as part of a $12 billion development.

However, locals have criticized the project based on the impact it would have on the iconic High Line elevated walking park. In addition, there have been repeated questions over why the developers have significantly scaled down the number of residential units compared to the 5,700 that were promised under a 2009 agreement between Related and the city.

Under that original plan, Related would have built 5,700 housing units, many of which were earmarked as affordable housing. The casino-center proposal would drop that to around 1,500 residential units, with just over 300 affordable housing units. 

In his statement, Lander pointed to this discrepancy, questioning what it would mean for the future of the Hudson Yards neighborhood.

“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,” Lander said. “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.”

Related, Wynn Press on Despite Public Pushback on Casino

Lander’s statement is the latest setback for a Hudson Yards proposal that has perhaps gotten more public pushback than any other potential casino project. 

Polling has shown little support amongst locals for the project, and the Hudson Yards Manhattan Community Board 4 voted unanimously to reject a zoning change that would be necessary for the project to go forward. The New York City Planning Commission has also questioned both the casino proposal and whether Related has put enough planning into a backup plan for the site should it not win a gaming license.

The developers remain undaunted by these issues, however, saying that the inclusion of the casino is the only way it can afford a major construction project in the area.

“This is an economically viable plan that builds on the success of Hudson Yards – which the comptroller has previously acknowledged – and creates more than 1,500 new homes in our city, including maintaining the entirety of the original affordable housing commitment,” said a statement by a representative for the proposal. “We will continue to work with local leaders to improve the plan.”