Critics of Wynn’s New York Casino Plan Boast 5,000 Supporters

Opposition to one of several New York casino groups is growing.

“Protect the High Line,” which is against the plan presented by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, said that it has more than 5,000 locals with registered interest that flies in the face of the casino.

Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line said that the 5,000 critics are from all over New York City.

Reasons for opposition

The casino proposal submitted by Wynn and Related Cos. calls for a $12 billion, 300,000 square-foot facility and 5.6-acre park at the Western Rail Yards overlooking the Hudson River.

The development would create an estimated 5,000 performant union jobs and would also see the area refurbished with 1,500 housing units and apartments, a public elementary and middle school, and 1,500 hotel rooms.

All of that will only become possible if the casino group procedures one of three New York State casino licenses that will be made available by gov. Kathy Hochul next year, something that Protect the High Line and other interest groups are hoping to prevent.

“The overwhelming support of 5,000 voices reflects the deep and broad community resistance to this plan,” van Capelle said in a statement on Thursday. “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.”

“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,” the group added in the 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.”

Taking issue with the plan

Protect the High Line is named after High Line Park, a 1.45-acre public area on the west side of Manhattan.

The group is aiming to protect the iconic park, which it believes would have its views impeded by towers inscribed with the Wynn logo proposed by Wynn in its latest reveal.

The anti-casino assembly, which was formed about five months ago, also has problems with Related Companies. It claims that a 2009 agreement between Related and the city promised the construction of 3,454-5,700 nearby housing units, a number reduced to 1,500 in the latest casino proposal.

The 2009 proposal also promised not to interfere with High Line’s views, which would come into question due to the proposed towers.

A recent poll commissioned by Protect the High Line suggested that the majority of nearby residents do not support the casino plan.

There’s an enormous amount of money at stake, which is why there are many high-profile suitors pursuing the three casino licenses.

Related already threatened to abandon redevelopment of the Western Rail Yards area if it cannot build a casino.