Add one more New York City community board that is against a full-fledged casino in their backyard.

Community Board 4 in Manhattan penned a letter to Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, the companies that want to build a hotel/casino complex in the Hudson Yards area near 11th Avenue and the Javits Center, saying, in short, thanks, but no thanks.

The main reason for their displeasure, according to a New York Post report, is because back in 2009 the land was set to be built out as a residential neighborhood by Related. Clearly, those plans never materialized.

“MCB4 remains mystified how the Department and Commission of City Planning could review and consider such a plan which erases years of sound city planning and community efforts to replace it with such an anti-urban and anti-New York vision,” the board said in the April 1 letter, according to the Post.  “MCB4 must note it cannot support the proposed project’s drastic shift from residential to commercial use designed around casino use. MCB4 raises the following question to both the Related Companies and the City of New York. Why should communities around the City of New York work with the real estate industry and the City government to respond and agree to zoning changes with detailed site plans and Points of Agreement when such plans and agreements can be discarded at a later date?”

Huge plan

The Wynn/Related casino plan is massive in nature, with three new skyscrapers set to be built. And these are no shrinking violets; these would be third, sixth, and seventh tallest buildings in Manhattan. The casino would make up five floors in one of the buildings, with the rest of the space being dedicated to office, retail, and housing.

But with the local Community Board not on board, the hoped-for plans are in a bit of jeopardy.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the Community Board as this process moves forward,” a Related spokesman told the Post, “and we are specifically excited to unveil our full community benefits package, which is centered around investment in this neighborhood. We are proud that our project on the Western Yards will deliver on all of the pledges made in the original zoning, including affordable housing, 5.6 acres of green open space, and a public school.”

Other community boards have come out against plans for casinos in their neighborhoods, and this opposition will certainly be noted by the New York State Gaming Commission, which is expected to issue a trio of downstate casino licenses sometime next year.

Currently, there are expected to be 11 bidders for the three licenses.

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