West Side pols oppose Hudson Yards casino they fear would ‘alter’ the High Line ‘experience’
Two state legislators representing Manhattan’s West Side are opposing Related Companies/Wynn’s plan to erect a glittering casino in Hudson Yards near the High Line.
“I’ve been clear: I’m philosophically opposed to a casino on the west side of Manhattan. The community has been against it, and unless that changes, I’m a no,” said Assemblyman Tony Simone.
Simone will serve on the six-member local panel whose job will be to vote on whether to recommend the proposed casino to state officials.
Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, who chairs the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee, said in a statement provided to The Post, “The High Line is a unique and beloved park intended to get New Yorkers and visitors outside and above the congested streets and sidewalks.
“Any plans that block views from this distinctive vantage point or allow for building closer to the High Line run counter to the High Line Special District and would significantly alter the experience,” she said.
Glick represents the southern portion of the High Line.
Related Companies-Wynn Resorts unveiled art renderings in March for the massive $12 billion complex they hope to build on Hudson Yards, a former graveyard for LIRR trains on the West Side of Manhattan.
The ambitious proposal features an 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River that houses a gaming facility and hotel. Office buildings, apartment towers and a spacious 5.6-acre park would surround the gleaming casino skyscraper.
Tourists walking along the High Line, an elevated train line converted to a public park and walkway, would wander directly past the site and could enter the massive resort between West 30th Street and 33rd streets and 11th and 12 avenues.
But backers of the High Line said the proposal would obstruct important and iconic views from the elevated park and walkway.
Related Companies, in a statement Monday, urged elected leaders not to rush to judgement.
“Our proposal to transform the western yards into a massive new park, housing and development that will generate tens of thousands of jobs, billions in new taxes and community investments, has not even been formally submitted yet, so we would hope our government leaders would wait to read it before forming a judgement,” the company said when asked about the political opposition.
“Until then, we will continue to communicate the profound benefits of the plan for the neighborhood and New York.”
The developer also said it has sought to address the concerns of the High Line.
“We have met with the High Line ten times and made meaningful amendments to our proposal in direct response to concerns they raised. It is our hope that as good neighbors, they would discuss any further concerns with us directly in the spirit of that constructive dialogue,” Related said.
Manhattan’s Community Board 4 previously raised objections to the proposal, saying the developer still hasn’t fulfilled its 2009 pledge to build more apartments on the West Side as part of its other Hudson Yards projects.
The Related-Wynn casino is one of a number of prospective bidders expected to land any of the three coveted downstate casino licenses in the New York City area.
State gaming regulators are expected to award the licenses by the end of next year. Winning bidders would be required to pay the state a minimum $500 million license fee.
Other proposals still have sticky issues that need time to be worked through.
Mets owner Steve Cohen’s plan with Hard Rock to land one of the licenses and build an $8 billion casino/entertainment complex next to Citi Field requires a state law for the right to do so. The proposal has not passed the state legislature.
Other casino bidders are grappling with land-use issues or community opposition, too, including the SL Green/Caesars Entertainment plan for Times Square and the Thor Equities and partners proposal for Coney Island in Brooklyn.
