Wynn Casino Project in NYC Backed by Former City Council Speaker

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 09/20/2024

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Wynn Casino Project in NYC

Recently, the former New York City City Council Speaker and CEO of Women in Need, Christine Quinn, expressed her support of Wynn’s bid for a casino in the Hudson Yards development project. Aside from the casino, the project would establish affordable housing spaces, a park, and even a public school.

Background on Hudson Yards

The Hudson Yards development project is located in a neighborhood in Manhattan with the same name. While initially planned to be a stadium, since 2012, it has become a more general project by establishing a mall and a giant sculpture known as the Vessel.

Wynn Resorts partnered with the real estate firm Related Companies in 2022 to propose a bid for a casino resort in the area. Aside from a tower for the casino and hotel, the proposal includes 324 affordable housing units, a K-8 public school, and even a public park with a playground. There are also plans for a separate tower with office space.

I am supporting Related and Wynn New York City’s bid for the Hudson Yards because it is the one that most recognises that the biggest problem facing this city is that of homeless families with children.

– Christine Quinn, former New York City City Council Speaker and CEO of Women in Need.

In a video on Wynn Resort’s project website, she claims to support the project for its affordable housing project, which would help many homeless mothers. It will also create over 5,000 union jobs and establish a sanitation and neighborhood public safety plan to improve the area. The 5.6-acre park will also be completely public.

Opposition to the Plan

While the project is also backed by Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, and Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, president of the NAACP NY State Conference, there is some opposition. State legislators Deborah Glick and Tony Simone are opposed to the casino and believe the buildings are too big. Glick also thinks the project should focus on fulfilling its promise of affordable housing units.

Another party opposed to Wynn’s project is the Friends of the High Line, which maintains the High Line public park. While the group is not opposed to the development project, it believes the current proposal will block sunlight and many views. While they have launched an initiative to oppose the project, called Protect the High Line, they are also discussing changes to the plan with Related Companies.

Although they’re not directly opposing them, Wynn Resorts also has several rivals for the casino license. There are only three licenses available, and some competitors include Caesars Entertainment, with plans for a Manhattan casino, and Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. All proposals have a June 2025 deadline, so there is room for change.

Conclusion

Wynn Resorts’ proposal for the Hudson Yards project faces stiff opposition from legislators and competitors for the license. However, it has also received significant backing from Christine Quinn, and Related is open to discussions on how to improve the proposal. As the license winner will not be decided until the end of 2025, whether the proposal succeeds remains to be seen.