Wynn Resorts is dropping plans to pursue a casino in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards, stepping aside after running into firm political opposition and leaving the field open for a large-scale housing development backed by city officials.
City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, whose district includes the West Side site, announced the company’s withdrawal Monday. Wynn confirmed the move, which comes just weeks before final bids are due for three downstate casino licenses.
“I will not support a casino at Hudson Yards,” Bottcher said, throwing his weight instead behind a 4,000-unit residential project proposed by Related Companies. The developer described it as one of the most ambitious housing initiatives Manhattan has seen in decades.
Wynn had spent months trying to build support for its plan, which included endorsements from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and National Urban League. But the effort failed to shift key local positions.
“After careful consideration, we have decided not to lodge an application for a gaming license in New York City,” said Wynn spokesman Michael Weaver. The company, he added, saw no reason to invest “in an area in which we, or any casino operator, will face years of persistent opposition despite our willingness to employ 5,000 New Yorkers.”
Related, meanwhile, is pushing forward with a reworked version of its housing plan. The updated project includes at least 400 affordable rental units — up from 324 — along with 6.6 acres of open green space. The developer says the build will create 35,000 union jobs.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver thousands of housing units,” Bottcher said, noting that rezoning is nearly complete and the site could be construction-ready by next year.
A vote by the City Council’s zoning committee is scheduled for Thursday. A full council vote is expected on May 28.
Bottcher said negotiations had yielded “significant concessions from the applicant” over the past week, allowing the proposal to meet “almost all the community’s demands.”
Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, called the revised plan “an enormous economic investment in New York City,” and said it would include both condos and at least 1,600 rental units across income levels. Pricing details were not disclosed.
Wynn’s exit from the process follows a similar move by Saks Fifth Avenue, which last month abandoned its bid to build a casino atop its Midtown flagship. That leaves nine projects still competing for three licenses. Final applications are due in June, with decisions expected by year’s end.
The same day Wynn withdrew, rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z visited the state Capitol to promote a rival bid in Times Square. His firm, Roc Nation, has partnered with Caesars Entertainment and SL Green Realty on a proposal for 1515 Broadway.
Jay-Z met privately with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. When he emerged, he was greeted by a swarm of legislative staff, reporters and fans hoping for a photo.
