New Environmental Study Reveals Proposed Western Rail Yards Design Would Lead to Significant Increases in Dark and Windy Spaces Around Yards and on the High Line
[December 13, 2024] - New York, NY — A new environmental review released shows dramatic impacts on open space and quality of life from Related Companies and Wynn Resort’s revised development plan for the Western Rail Yards (WRY). The analysis, based on environmental and urban design studies, suggests that the proposed changes would result in open spaces plagued by worsened wind conditions and reduced sunlight, fundamentally diverging from the approved 2009 vision for the site which was supported by the community.
The proposed plan marked a major shift from the development's original 2009 priorities, moving from a balanced residential and commercial project (60-78% residential in the 2009 plan*, which balances with the commercial hub Eastern Rail Yards) to a predominantly commercial complex (only 19% residential) that now incorporates a large-scale gaming and hotel component. If the NYC Gaming Commission does not award Related/Wynn a gaming license, Related has included an alternative scenario, with the same massing bulk, in their rezoning application with approximately 24% residential.
The impacts of this redesign extend beyond land use, affecting urban connectivity, environmental quality, and the overall experience for residents and visitors.
"The High Line has become one of New York’s most dynamic spaces. The innovative public space has transformed the surrounding area into a premier destination by celebrating urban density and people-centered streets, but this project threatens that by degrading the public space and creating excess parking that will drive even more congestion to an already-congested area. This is the wrong approach. As New York City faces an urgent housing and livability crisis, we must prioritize development that includes abundant new housing, access to quality public space, and streets that are accessible for everyone," said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director at Open Plans.
Key Findings:
1. Reduction in Open Space
The proposal reduces open space from 63% of the development site in the original 2009 plan to just 46%.**
This loss is driven by the elimination of through-streets (31st and 32nd Streets) and sidewalks, and significantly larger building footprints.
2. Worsening Wind Conditions
A study by a wind engineering firm indicates a substantial increase in uncomfortable wind conditions compared to the 2009 plan, particularly around the development site’s open spaces.***
Winter conditions are expected to be especially harsh, exacerbated by the supertall casino and hotel structures.
The uncomfortable wind conditions not only impact the adjacent spaces, but extend eastwards along 30th Street to 10th Avenue, and south to 27th Street on the High Line.
3. Loss of Connectivity and Visual Cohesion
The proposal increases in building heights, which would be equal to or taller than the built Eastern Rail Yards (commonly known as Hudson Yards), and creates a "wall effect," of extreme height and bulk eliminating the gradual height transitions approved in 2009.
4. Sunlight and Visual Impact
The proposal creates nearly 6 hours of incremental shadows a day on the High Line during the spring and fall and creates significant shadows on adjacent open spaces such as the Hudson River Park and Hudson River Greenway with its increased building height.
While the impacts of shadows on the High Line are consistent with the 2009 plan, the open space adjacent to the proposed casino suffers from reduced sunlight, contradicting promises of lush, sunlit gardens and lawns. This "Bryant Park-like space” will only see an average of 2.3 hours of sun per day between May-October, the peak growing season for vegetation.
The visual impact from the High Line reveals a dense, disconnected and much narrower landscape, conflicting with the original plan’s emphasis on providing a very large but wide main open space connected to a system of highly varied open spaces with views connecting to the Manhattan grid and between the buildings and generous, open spaces.
Community members have expressed deep concern over the dramatic pivot from a predominantly residential community to a commercial-dominated hub. This shift undermines the original goal of establishing the Western Rail Yards as a residential counterpoint to the Eastern Rail Yards. The Protect the High Line campaign advocates for development that respects the 2009 rezoning agreement, preserves the park’s integrity, and prioritizes public benefit, including commitments to affordable housing.
“The High Line is a cherished space, not just for West Side residents but for millions of visitors who come to experience its unique blend of art, nature, and urban design,” said Alan van Capelle, Executive Director of Friends of the High Line. “This proposal threatens to undo years of thoughtful planning by prioritizing massive commercial interests over the livability and public benefit promised in the 2009 plan. The increase in dark, windy spaces and loss of connectivity undermines the spirit of what this area was meant to be—a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible part of our city.”
In September, independent research firm Public Policy Polling found that less than a quarter of West Side residents support the proposed development. The survey of nearly 1,300 voters in the neighborhoods surrounding the High Line reveals a clear sentiment against the current plan – 56% of respondents oppose the proposed zoning changes that would allow for the Hudson Yards expansion over the Western Rail Yards, compared to only 24% in favor. Further, 70% agreed that the proposed skyscrapers and casino next to the northern part of the High Line would harm neighboring West Side communities.
As discussions around the Western Rail Yards redevelopment continue, the findings underscore the need for a design that balances commercial ambition with the site’s legacy of connectivity, openness, and environmental sustainability.
* Based on the Final Environmental Impact Study (FEIS) for the Western Rail Yard project issued by NYC Planning Commission and MTA in October 2009.
**Based on a total open space area of 7.32 acres in the 2009 plan, including the street and sidewalk extensions, key components of the original plan’s public realm.
***Based on wind conditions from May-October and November-April. Wind mitigation interventions such as landscaping and other smaller architectural and accessory features were not included in the analysis.