Wynn Resorts and Related Companies have revised their development plan for a New York City casino bid in Hudson Yards. Related reported to the New York Post that the $10bn plan will feature two skyscrapers.
Related CEO Jeff Blau said the 3 million-square-foot area would include a Wynn Resorts tower with 1,700 hotel rooms. About 250,000 square feet of the first tower would be devoted to casino games such as blackjack, poker, roulette and craps. Fine dining options and shops will also feature.
The second tower, added as part of the recent announcement, will be a 2 million-square-foot office building. Related also plans to keep a 5.5-acre public park and a 1 million-square-foot apartment building with 329 affordable rental units as part of its development.
Blau said, “For these reasons we feel we’re in a good position with the best proposal. We’re looking to win.”
Gaming America has recently taken a further look into the bidding process. Two other competing operators, however, may soon have their plans foiled due to conflicts over land use and land leasing.
Senator Jessica Ramos will not introduce legislation for Mets owner Steve Cohen to build a casino on Citi Field property, which qualifies as park land. Bally’s may also be “sand trapped” as its efforts to add a casino to Trump Golf Links faces permit delays in the Bronx.
With Las Vegas Sands receiving approval of a 99-year lease in Nassau County last week, land may play a large part in the overall competition. State Senator Brad Hoylman, part of a six-member committee that will vote on Wynn and Related’s future plans, seemingly ignored some of the revised development’s promises.
Hoylman said, “It’s a steep hill to climb given the community was promised open space, a public school and affordable housing where the casino is proposed.”
According to the New York Post, the next round of the bidding process will be in July, when operators meet with the state.
