Posted on: November 21, 2024, 04:28h.
Last updated on: November 21, 2024, 04:28h.
“Protect the High Line,” the group opposing the plan by Related Cos. and Wynn Resorts to build casino hotel on the West Side of Manhattan, said its ranks have swelled to over 5,000.
The group, which named for the iconic park it’s seeking to protect, is about five months old, indicating it’s quickly cobbled together support for protection of the High Line. That fortification also amounts to opposition to the proposed $12 billion investment in the Western Rail Yards that Related is pitching. Wynn New York would be the centerpiece of that development, assuming it procures one of three downstate casino licenses that have yet to be awarded.
The overwhelming support of 5,000 voices reflects the deep and broad community resistance to this plan,” said Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line, in a statement. “People from all walks of life are united in rejecting proposals that threaten the High Line’s unique character and fail to uphold the values of community input in how our neighborhood grows.”
He added that support for the group’s efforts has grown and backers hail from all over New York City — not just the High Line area.
Heart of Opposition to Wynn NYC Casino
Protect the High Line’s opposition to the Related/Wynn casino project largely boils down to issues. First, the group is concerned that the proposed towers, including one that would bear the Wynn name, would block views of the High Line.
Second, the group argues that Related isn’t following through on a 2009 agreement the developer struck with the city. Under the terms of that accord, the real estate firm would have built 3,454 to 5,700 housing units on the site, but the proposal featuring the casino plan calls for just 1,500 units. Some critics of the casino plan believe the 2009 agreement was a best-of-both-worlds proposal because it allotted for more housing without threatening the High Line’s iconic views.
“The Protect the High Line campaign advocates for development that respects the 2009 rezoning agreement, preserves the park’s integrity, and prioritizes public benefit, including commitments to affordable housing,” said the group in the Thursday press release. “Moving forward, the campaign will continue to engage stakeholders, amplify community voices, and push for a planning process that centers the needs of the public.”
Protect the High Line recently commissioned polling on the issue and the results indicating a majority of West Side residents don’t want a casino in the neighborhood.
Wynn NYC Casino Has Supporters, Too
As is the case with nearly all of the New York City-area casino proposals, the Related/Wynn project has detractors and supporters.
While community groups and local politicians are firmly against the gaming venue, some supporters believe it would be an important revenue generator in terms of helping the homeless in the area. Additionally, labor groups see opportunity for substantial job creation.
Earlier this year, Related cautioned that if the casino component is removed, it’s unlikely to move forward with major development at the Western Rail Yards.
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