Hurdles in Queens and the Bronx may clear the way for a proposed New York casino in Manhattan.
As initially reported by the New York Post, Related Companies has revised its plans for a potential casino in Hudson Yards, which includes two skyscrapers. One of the towers would encompass 3 million square feet, developed by Wynn and featuring a 1,700-room hotel and 250,000 square feet of casino games. The other tower would be a 2-million-square-foot office building.
“It will be one of the most impressive tall buildings in New York,” said Related CEO Rob Blau in an interview with the Post.
This development comes after proposed NY casinos faced obstacles, potentially opening up an opportunity for Related to be considered for one of the three downstate licenses.
Blau expressed optimism that Related would secure licensing, not only because of the hotel and gaming floor, luxurious restaurants, and shops but also due to the inclusion of a public park, a school, and affordable apartment housing.
“For these reasons, we feel we’re in a good position with the best proposal. We’re looking to win.”
Specifics to receive Related license for one regarding three downstate NY internet casinos
Related wasted no time in seizing the opportunity for a new downstate casino in Manhattan. In the fall of 2022, the real estate developer partnered with Wynn to develop a proposal, which has now evolved into a $10 billion plan for the western portion of Hudson Yards.
While the casino expansion is attracting attention, there are other aspects of the proposal that aim to help Related secure one of the three available licenses. For instance, the company plans to create an almost six-acre public park that connects to the High Line, as well as a public school. Additionally, Related intends to build a 1-million-square-foot residential tower with 329 “affordable” units.
Blau, in an interview with the Post, highlighted that the hotel component would be a significant addition, especially for the nearby struggling Javits Center.
“The Javits Center just expanded but continues to lose business to other cities because it doesn’t have a hotel,” Blau said.
Furthermore, it is advantageous that Related’s plans involve an empty space. Unlike other projects, Blau emphasized that his team’s proposal does not disrupt the city directly due to the significant vacancy in the western area.
Hurdles inside Queens, Bronx could help Similar
The competition for three casino licenses (which is likely to be just one, as the two existing VLTs in the region are expected to receive licensing) continues to intensify. However, two proposals recently encountered roadblocks.
In Queens, Senator Jessica Ramos announced that she would not introduce legislation to ease land-use restrictions around Citi Field for the development of a casino complex envisioned by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Meanwhile, Bally’s, which targeted Donald Trump’s golf course in the Bronx, encountered a conflict with the city regarding the lease of the land.
That being said, Related isn’t completely in the clear, as it naturally has its own detractors. Senator Mike Hoylman-Sigal, for instance, is part of the six-member board reviewing Related’s proposal.
“It’s a steep hill to climb,” Hoylman-Sigal told the Post, “given that the city was promised open space, a public school, and affordable housing where the casino is proposed.”
Once again, however, it doesn’t hurt that Related owner Stephen Ross is one of the largest donors involved with Governor Kathy Hochul.
Fb timeline for downstate NY internet casinos
The process for awarding licenses still has a long way to go.
The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board has yet to publish its responses to the first round of questions from interested applicants. And there is no set timeline for when those will be released.
Once completed, interested parties can submit the second round of questions, followed again by GFLB responses. Only then, possibly not until late summer, will the state officially call for applications. After the review of Community Advisory Committees, the GFLB will make its recommendations for the three downstate casino licenses.
All in all, we may not see those final decisions made until 2024.
Grant Lucas is a senior managing director at PlayNY. Grant Lucas, an award-winning journalist, has been involved in gambling and even legal betting since 2018, when he started working on reports for companies in New Jersey and even Pennsylvania. He is currently overseeing PlayNY as New York expands legalized gambling to include sports betting and even online casino video games.
