A controversial new casino proposal has been met with opposition from local residents and organizations.
Newly released renderings for a Hudson Yards casino resort, being proposed by Related Companies, show a vast site with a series of buildings, including at least one supertall skyscraper.
Residents opposing the idea fear that the $12 billion resort could have a negative impact on the High Line public park and its surrounding area.
Protect the High Line opposes development
A new public awareness campaign, developed by members of Protect the High Line, has now attracted the attention of an additional three community organizations, who have joined forces to stop the construction of the resort.
Sara Lind is co-executive director of Open Plans, an organization famous for using grassroots advocacy and policy changes to help transform New York City’s public spaces. Lind is concerned about the proposals, particularly the effect that new buildings would have on the High Line.
“They are proposing adding a large number of additional parking spaces into a Manhattan neighborhood near transit where we are looking for tourists and residents alike to be able to enjoy the public space that the High Line offers,” Lind said, according to amNew York Metro. “Adding parking will encourage people to drive to the area, increasing bad congestion that is already there.”
Other advocates said it's especially important to expand and improve parks and open space with park visitation in New York at an all-time high.
“The proposed rezoning of the Western Rail Yards would do just the opposite,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Parks and Trails New York. “Constructing a building over a portion of the High Line, reducing usable public space, and taking away park access from the public for an undetermined amount of time are not sound development policies.”
Pamela Wolff, president of Save Chelsea, echoed their sentiments.
“The High Line is not just a cherished neighborhood park, but an internationally admired cultural treasure that Chelsea and the City of New York are proud of, a phenomenon that has inspired similar projects the world over,” she said. “It should not be degraded by a misplaced casino.”
Plans show a new supertall skyscraper on the site
Documents submitted by the developer show the tallest of the proposed skyscrapers at 80 storeys with a height of 1,172 feet (357 meters), which means it would qualify as a supertall skyscraper in New York.
The proposed development would occupy the site of a railyard between 12th and 11th Avenue and 30th and 33rd Street. In total, the site spans more than six million square feet (557,418 square meters).
Controversy grows over Related Companies’ 2009 agreement
It’s not just a casino that’s being talked about at Hudson Yards, of course. The proposals also include commercial and residential buildings, as well as plans for a new school on the site.
There are also plans to include a new 5.6-acre park in the vicinity. But controversy is growing as Manhattan’s Community Board 4 argues that Related Companies and Wynn Resorts have not yet fulfilled past obligations to build planned apartments on the West Side.
The previous agreement, made back in 2009, included a commitment to more housing, with up to 5,700 units and 4.3 acres of open space. The green spaces planned at the time were to have had multiple public access points along the Western Rail Yards.
In April, Manhattan’s Community Board 4 wrote to the developer to say: “MCB4 remains mystified how the Department and Commission of City Planning could review and consider such a plan which erases years of sound city planning and community efforts to replace it with such an anti-urban and anti-New York vision.”
Related Companies argues that the new proposals include more cohesive public green space than those 2009 plans did, with 5.63 acres of contiguous green space that will be “open to all.” But those opposing the development are yet to be convinced.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Community Board as this process moves forward – and we are specifically excited to unveil our full community benefits package which is centered around investment in this neighborhood,” a Related Companies spokesman said.
“We are proud that our project on the Western Yards will deliver on all of the pledges made in the original zoning including affordable housing, 5.6 acres of green open space, and a public school.”
