Our campaign is engaging New Yorkers and elected officials to ensure the development of the Western Rail Yards protects the iconic nature and experience of the High Line and benefits our neighboring communities.

Proposed plans for the development of the Western Rail Yards - which include the development of three massive towers and a proposed new casino and were produced without any community input - would negatively impact the experience of millions of visitors and obstruct important and iconic views from the High Line.

The 2009 Agreement. In 2009, community stakeholders and the Related Companies came together to forge an agreement with the Mayor’s office, the City Council, and other elected leaders to rezone the Far West Side, including the Western Rail Yards. The plan included a commitment to 3,454 units of housing (and the possibility of up to 5,700 units), and 4.3 acres of open space with multiple public access points on the Western Rail Yards.

The New Proposed Plan. Related and Wynn Resorts are now applying to the City for approval to replace the original 2009 zoning agreement and make significant changes to the zoning for the Western Rail Yards at Hudson Yards (located between West 30th and West 33rd Street and 11th and 12th Avenues). Their application includes two scenarios, one with a casino and one without.

The new rezoning application reduces the number of housing units by more than 2,000 in the version that includes a casino, reduces access to the planned open space, and dramatically increases the size of the buildings – a design that would substantially increase the negative impact on the High Line. The rezoning’s negative impacts on the High Line will persist in both scenarios, as the rezoning proposes similar changes – including a giant building podium – both with and without a casino.

Our campaign. With the deep support of our neighboring communities, our campaign will engage community stakeholders to solicit their input to help advance the development of the Western Rail Yards in a way that improves upon the 2009 rezoning agreement and preserves the experience on and views from the High Line. We will band together to get the Rail Yards plan back on track and ensure the experience of the High Line and its benefits to our communities are protected.

The decision-making process. The proposed rezoning is subject to the City’s Uniform Land Use Review Process, which requires multiple levels of public review, including approval by the City Council. The casino component of the development plan requires the award of a casino license in a competitive process overseen by the State Gaming Commission.