This just in: Wynn Resorts, along with real estate developer Related Cos., has just released more new details about their proposed NYC project in the Hudson Yards. The development will include a casino hotel, but there will also be an integrated resort, housing units, and a new public school. It will also feature a park, Hudson Green, with a dog run and native flowers and trees.

Wynn Resorts, in partnership with Related Cos., the real estate developer, has revealed new details of their ambitious $12 billion plan to develop Manhattan's Hudson Yards West. The proposed project includes a casino hotel and will transform the area into a vibrant mixed-use community. A 5.6-acre public park, dubbed the “centerpiece” of the development, will be a key feature of the project, and, if approved, the development could generate thousands of well-paying union jobs.

A rendering of Wynn New York City, the proposed mixed-use development and casino resort on the West Side of Manhattan, showcases the developers' vision for the Western Rail Yards area. The project outlines the creation of 1,500 housing units (which includes 324 affordable apartments) as well as a new public school. However, the proposal has sparked controversy, with critics pointing out that Related Cos. had previously committed to delivering between 3,454 to 5,700 housing units when it reached an agreement with New York City to develop the Western Rail Yards in 2009.

Community concerns and opposition

The proposed plan that also includes a tower with the Wynn name has met with opposition from a community group known as the High Line. The group is committed to protecting the New York neighborhood and its iconic views, and it is joined by local politicians who argue that a gaming venue is inappropriate for this part of the city.

Despite the pushback, Wynn Resorts and Related Cos. have been keen to highlight the potential benefits of the development. According to the companies, the project would provide economic and social advantages to the community, including the creation of Hudson Green, a proposed public park.

Hudson Green: a new urban oasis

In their statement, Wynn Resorts and Related Cos. describe Hudson Green as a vibrant public space featuring "a dog run, over 300 trees, 500 shrubs, flower beds, and various native plantings throughout the active landscape." Designed by both Wynn Design and Develop (the team responsible for the luxurious designs of Wynn's casino hotels), Hudson Green is being compared to Bryant Park, one of New York City's most beloved green spaces.

"Wynn New York City will anchor the development, completing a decades-long revitalization of Manhattan's West Side," according to a press release from the two companies. They further stated that this new vision for Hudson Yards West adheres to the approved uses in the 2009 zoning but has also progressed to reflect the existing landscape of the city and its economic infrastructure needs. They added that Wynn New York City is the "economic engine supporting this development and will create careers for thousands of New Yorkers while offering significant benefits to all sectors of the community."

However, despite the companies' ambitious plans, regulators in New York have yet to open the bidding for the three casino permits to be awarded by the state, and it's a process that is expected to extend well into 2025 or even beyond.

Economic impact and job creation

Wynn Resorts and Related Cos. are emphasizing the economic benefits of the project, including the significant creation of new jobs. According to the companies, the development of Wynn New York City would result in 35,000 jobs in construction alone. When it opens, an additional 5,000 union jobs would be created. This could lead to better income tax collections in a state that is greatly reliant on this revenue source, especially as New York struggles with ongoing budget challenges.

Bruce Beal, President of Related Cos., emphasized the economic potential of the development in a statement, saying, "It's easy for leaders to talk about wanting to create jobs and invest in the economy and infrastructure, but our proposal to develop Hudson Yards West would actually do it, which is why it continues to garner important support from unions, trade organizations, and small businesses."

A project on hold

But while Wynn Resorts and Related Cos. are pitching their proposal as a much-needed economic boon for New York, the project's fate remains uncertain. With state regulators not expected to open the bidding for downstate casino licenses until 2025 or later, it could be some time before the future of the Hudson Yards West development becomes clear.