Opponents and supporters of various proposals to build a casino in Hell's Kitchen spoke out Tuesday night at a public hearing held by Manhattan Community Board 4 (MCB4). They expressed concern that it could change the character of neighborhoods, increase crime rates, and overturn New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).
Development Associates and Silverstein Properties have released renderings of glittering high-rise towers in their unique neighborhood casino proposal at W 41st and 11th Streets and W 33rd and 11th Streets, respectively. . In Times Square, another developer, SL Green, is proposing an eight-story, 250,000-square-foot gaming facility and 950-room hotel.
Tuesday's meeting was not about individual projects, but rather an opportunity for people to express their thoughts on the topic of casinos generally.
Although no formal bids have been submitted, much less chosen, Jeremy Skulnik, one of New York State's seven part-time gaming commissioners, told the board that “the next three “It's almost certain that it will take place in the state.”
“As far as I know, there is no favorite. In fact, we don't even know who will apply,” Skulnik said. “No application has been submitted yet.”
Skulnik explained that developers seeking to build a casino will need to submit bids within 60 days of the Gaming Facility Siting Board publishing its answer to the second question, and that an answer is expected soon. Stated. The first set, released last August, included answers to 613 questions. Once the bids are complete, they will be reviewed by a community advisory committee whose members are appointed by local elected officials.
Second, each casino proposal would theoretically be subject to the city's ULURP process, provided the City Council passes an amendment exempting casino proposals located in manufacturing or commercial areas from standard land use review. isn't it. The Casino Facility Siting Board will then review the approved proposal and decide whether to grant a license at a price of $500 million.
Skulnik argued that the amendments, which CB4 has publicly opposed, are necessary because the proposal may not be selected even after a months-long process.
Barbara, a longtime Hell's Kitchen resident and city planner, said a casino is “probably one of the most anti-urban uses I can think of.” They don’t talk on the street, they don’t talk to people on the street,” she said.
Alexis Audet, who has lived in Hell's Kitchen for 20 years, said her research led her to feel that a casino “would be a huge negative for Hell's Kitchen and for New York City.”
“What we need here is clean air and pedestrian-friendly roads,” she said. “Casinos increase traffic, worsen air quality, and make our streets more dangerous. We need reliable infrastructure and emergency services. Casinos increase traffic, worsen air quality, and make our streets more dangerous. We need reliable infrastructure and emergency services. It will put a strain on the.”
Audette added that she believes the casino “doesn't add to the local economy and could actually have a negative impact on the local economy.”
In contrast, two Hell's Kitchen residents, David Stewart and Anya Wallach, expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a backyard casino.
“I was skeptical about it,” he said, until Stewart started meeting with SL Green, the developer proposing to build a casino in Times Square.
“They're coming back with safety plans, community investments, they're going to work on tree stands, they're going to invest $9 million in community projects,” he said. “They have a sanitation plan and they have everything that our community can benefit from right now.”
Mr Wallach added that “the crime has already started” and said he supported services such as private trash removal and “private security” being provided.
“Receiving private supplements would be a really unique opportunity,” she said.
Meanwhile, Joe Restucia of the Clinton Housing Development Company, which is building affordable housing nearby, framed the casino's prospects in opposite terms.
“There are people coming in with a lot of money, so they're going to give everyone and his uncle everything they can,” he said. “They have one goal, and it's not a bad goal. They want to make a lot of money.”
He urged the community not to be swayed by amenities offered by developers. “It’s only a fraction of how much money is made from these licenses,” he said. “And from the perspective of our community, I'm very concerned. What's being presented is a way to divide people, divide them, grab them and tell them to do this and do that. Because that's the way very large organizations that have incredible amounts of money around do their work. ”
Many community members expressed concern that the amendment to the text, which allows casinos to be built on-right without going through ULURP, could have a negative impact.
“The idea that these groups and mayors have the ability to usurp ULURP and eliminate the zoning process that we've all come to trust is kind of scary, and it's no wonder how “I don't know if it will set a precedent for future business,” Aleta Lafargue said. “I think any development has to go through the same process. If it takes a little longer, I think there's a reason.”
