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Q&A
Council Member Riley questions developers about Western Rail Yards housing and casino plans
0:39:14
·
3 min
Council Member Kevin Riley engages in a Q&A session with Jeff Blau of Related Companies and Elise Wagner of Kramer Levin regarding the proposed modifications to the Western Rail Yards development. The discussion covers the increase in housing units, affordability levels, and the relationship between the residential component and the potential casino development.
- The proposal increases housing units from 1,500 to 4,000, including 324 affordable units
- The residential component remains consistent regardless of whether a casino is built
- The requested ULURP actions are necessary for the overall project, including housing, open space, and 30 Hudson Yards, but not specifically for the casino
Kevin Riley
0:39:14
Okay.
0:39:15
Thank you.
0:39:16
I'm just gonna ask a few questions then I'm gonna toss to council member Bacha.
0:39:22
Thanks.
0:39:25
Okay.
0:39:27
So currently right now, is there an existing plan for the area that requires more housing that was stated today?
0:40:45
It will still be at 4,000?
0:40:46
Correct.
0:40:48
Which of the four actions requested are oh, excuse me.
0:40:51
Let me go back to that question.
0:40:52
Would the affordability remain the same
0:40:55
Yes.
0:40:56
Regarding?
0:40:56
Yes.
0:41:06
So the residential component of this proposal is a part of the gaming facility location or is it separate from it?
0:41:27
Okay.
0:41:28
Which of the four actions or questions are needed for you to pursue your gaming facility application with the state?
0:41:34
And I ask because my understanding is that the current zoning text allows an applicant who's awarded a state casino license to build their proposal.
0:41:43
So do you need any of these approvals to actually build a casino if you are awarded a license?
0:41:58
That's the housing, the school, all those components.
0:42:08
Okay.
0:42:09
And the renovations to MTA as well.
0:42:11
Okay.
0:42:13
And I believe you said this before, but for the record, how would you proceed should these actions you requested are not approved?
0:42:27
Okay.
0:42:28
Thank you.
0:42:29
I will now give the floor to council member Bacha to start his question.
Elise Wagner
0:39:34
The city planning commission approved 1,500 units and as mister Blau said, the proposal we are proposing to modify that proposal to make it 4,000 units, and we're doing that by removing the commercial building that was proposed for the southeastern portion of the project, and instead there would be two towers with 2,500, up to 2,500 units.
0:40:06
And that was essentially the plan that was approved in 02/2009 for the southeast portion of the project.
0:41:50
We don't need it to build the casino, but the project as a whole cannot be built without these ULURP actions.
0:42:05
30 Third Street and the park.
0:42:07
The park.
0:42:07
Public open space.
Jeff Blau
0:40:14
What is the affordability level of the affordable housing units, and how will this be regulated?
0:40:20
So there are there were 1,100 affordable units as part of the original commitment to Hudson Yards.
0:40:27
All about 324 have already been completed.
0:40:30
Those 324 will be included within the 4,000 units.
0:40:35
Will the proposed housing be a part of the application to the gaming facility location board?
0:40:41
Yes.
0:40:41
The the housing would be consistent with or without the gaming.
0:40:55
Correct.
0:41:14
It is part of the zoning for the site regardless of the gaming on-site or the alternate proposal which is commercial.
0:41:21
So there'd be no change to the location of the 4,000 units in either in either plan.
0:42:02
And including in particular 30 Third Street.
0:42:21
At the moment, the the Western Railroad Arch is not financially viable, so not nothing would proceed.