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Hudson Yards Casino Project Faces Major Setback as Community Board Rejects Zoning Change
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a decisive blow to one of Manhattan’s most ambitious and controversial developments, The New York Post reported that Community Board 4 (CB4) unanimously rejected a proposed $12 billion casino complex in Hudson Yards. The glittering project, spearheaded by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, now faces an uphill battle as it seeks approval through New York City’s rigorous land-use process.
According to the information provided in The New York Post report, CB4, which represents the Hudson Yards neighborhood, voted against granting the necessary zoning changes required for the project to proceed. While the community board’s vote is advisory, it carries significant weight in the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). Ultimately, the final decision will rest with the City Council and city planners in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.
Critics of the casino project, as reported by The New York Post, were scathing in their assessment. Joshua David, co-founder of The High Line and a former CB4 member, lambasted the proposal, declaring that it “reeks of greed and disregard for the community.” David, a longtime Chelsea resident, argued that the project would irrevocably alter the neighborhood’s carefully balanced character. “A carefully planned mixed-use neighborhood is wiped out for a garish Las Vegas-style monstrosity that has no place on Manhattan’s West Side,” he said. “If we wanted to live in Las Vegas, we would live in Las Vegas.”
The proposal envisions an imposing 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River, housing a high-end gaming facility and luxury hotel. The surrounding area would include office buildings, residential apartment towers, and a sprawling 5.6-acre park. Despite these features, The New York Post report highlighted that opposition groups, including Friends of The High Line, have raised alarms about the potential environmental and aesthetic impacts of the project.
Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of The High Line, voiced strong opposition to the development, warning that the towering structures would cast long shadows over the beloved elevated park and fundamentally alter the visitor experience. As reported by The New York Post, van Capelle praised CB4’s decision, stating that the casino complex “would do permanent damage to the High Line experience.”
The community board’s letter to City Planning Director Dan Garodnick further detailed their concerns, pointing out that the project would eliminate approximately 4,000 planned residential units from the area. Additionally, The New York Post report revealed that the project’s environmental impact statement predicted “catastrophic traffic and air quality impacts on our neighborhoods… This proposal simply isn’t a fit for this site.”
However, as reported by The New York Post, Related Companies has not wavered in its defense of the ambitious development, accusing CB4 of being staunchly anti-development and asserting that their opposition undermines opportunities for the West Side.
Related Companies has maintained that the casino project represents a unique opportunity to revitalize the area, generate billions in economic activity, and transform underutilized space into a vibrant commercial and residential hub. As reported by The Post, the company is doubling down on efforts to gain support from key stakeholders and elected officials, despite CB4’s unanimous rejection.
According to The Post, Related Companies released a statement claiming that CB4 has a history of opposing transformative projects. “The community board has a long track record of opposing projects that would bring opportunity to the West Side,” the statement read. While acknowledging that some of CB4’s ideas are fiscally unrealistic, the company expressed a willingness to collaborate on constructive feedback. “We welcome feedback and elements that can make this project and neighborhood better,” Related stated. The company also emphasized its intent to work closely with local elected officials to create “realistic plans that deliver the jobs, housing, and community improvements New York needs today.”
Despite the heated local opposition, The Post reported that the Hudson Yards casino is just one of several high-profile bids competing for a coveted New York State casino license. Among the challengers are two established race track slots parlors—Genting’s Resorts World New York City at Aqueduct and MGM Resorts International’s Empire City in Yonkers—both of which are seeking to expand their offerings to include live table games.
The Post report highlighted that other major contenders include the $4 billion Times Square proposal from SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, as well as Las Vegas Sands’ project at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum hub in Uniondale. Additionally, the Stefan Soloviev and Mohegan Sun collaboration along the East River, and Silverstein Properties’ partnership with Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment for a casino north of the Jacob Javits Center, are also vying for licenses.
The competition is fierce, with each proposal promising significant economic benefits, job creation, and community enhancements. However, as The Post report noted, the Hudson Yards project stands out for its sheer scale and ambition, featuring an 80-story tower overlooking the Hudson River, alongside office buildings, apartment complexes, and a sprawling 5.6-acre park.
As the competition for state casino licenses heats up, The Post report indicated the significance of these projects in shaping New York’s economic and social landscape. The Hudson Yards casino proposal faces not only local opposition but also the challenge of standing out against well-funded and strategically placed bids across the region.
