Rally planned in favor of New York’s Hudson Yards casino project

The head of New York’s building and construction trades union 21 October announced a rally in support of the plan by developer Related Companies and Wynn Resorts for a $12bn (£9.3bn/€10.9bn) casino, office and housing complex at Hudson Yards.

The “We Build” rally, set for Thursday (24 October), is meant to counter recent efforts by the nonprofit “Protect the High Line.” The neighborhood group wants to defeat the project. Conversely, opposition says it would ruin the views afforded by the current High Line Park. The park provides an urban parkland vista over Hudson Yards, a former railroad facility.

Gary LaBarbera blasted the group’s efforts to derail the project in a letter published by the New York Post. LaBarbera, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, wrote a letter to his union affiliates.

“Please join me with your members on October 24, 2024, at 555 West 18th Street at 3:30pm to raise our voices, call out the truth and send a message to elected officials that we will no longer be silent and that career opportunities, pathways to the middle class are simply more important than a few minutes of shade!!” wrote LaBarbera.

Prior disputes
In addition, LeBarbera wrote an October letter to Friends of the Highline executive director Alan van Cappelle. In that letter, LeBarbera wrote,“We appreciate the experience of the High Line. However, we cannot let the fact that a new building may create new shadows prevent our city from moving forward. We live in a vertical city. We must continue to build. We must continue creating opportunities for our city’s residents, including residents of this community, to earn a middle-class lifestyle. We must raise our voices and be heard.

“Too often the will of the powerful few overcome the interests of the many. We cannot stand down and let this continue.”

Friends of the Highline previously announced survey results showing 56% of local residents opposed changing the High Line zoning. They also said only 24% are in support. Rezoning is required for Related and Wynn to build.

‘Friends’ respond
Following the trade union announcement of the Thursday rally, van Capelle responded in an interview with the Post. He said 70% of voters say the new 6 million-square-foot development would negatively affect neighboring West Side communities. The project includes a casino and three new skyscrapers.

“This polling confirms what we’ve heard from countless residents: the current rezoning proposal threatens not only the High Line’s unique experience but also the community benefits that were promised in 2009,” van Capelle said. “We want the Western Rail Yards developed. The Building Trades Council wants the Western Rail Yards developed. And that would be happening right now if Related and Wynn hadn’t secretly changed their original plans without community input.

“The Building Trades should be protesting Related for slowing down development with their changes that permanently harm the High Line and the community.”

The Related/Wynn proposal for Wynn New York City would include multiple skyscrapers housing 1,500 apartments and 2 million square feet of office space. In addition, it would include a 750-seat public school and day care center, and a hotel and casino operated by Wynn.

Overall, it is one of 11 proposals in and around New York City for three downstate casino licenses.