A potential answer to a Javits conundrum
Since the New York casino race first began, Silverstein has been arguably the most aggressive bidder.
The company has changed and added to its proposal several times, from altering the building design to acquiring new partners and increasing housing commitments. It is also engaging with a litany of community groups as it hopes to differentiate itself in the city’s most competitive borough. With Manhattan already a centre of tourism and entertainment, stakeholders argue a luxury casino complex would be additive.
“The economic case for the Avenir rests on the proven value of mixed-use development in strengthening urban districts,” testified Dr Sam Chandan, director of New York University’s Chen Institute for Global Real Estate. “One of the clear lessons of the post-pandemic recovery is that single-use neighbourhoods are more vulnerable to shocks. By contrast, districts that combine residential, hospitality, cultural and commercial activity are more vibrant, recover more quickly and generate more stable employment and tax revenue generation over time.”
Both of Avenir’s hearings were held at the Javits Center, which is pitched as a lynchpin for the project. There are currently no major hotels or accommodations in the immediate vicinity, limiting the number of events and conferences that can be held there.
Silverstein has enlisted Hyatt to manage a 1,000-room hotel at Avenir and is pledging a total of 2,000 housing units. Of those, approximately 500 are designated as affordable. Both of these developments could bring more traffic to Javits and the immediate area, something that numerous speakers mentioned across both hearings.
“For 20 years we’ve known about this Achilles heel and for 20 years we have failed to fix it, until now,” said Community Board 4 member Bryan Sloane, in reference to Javits. “This project is the solution we’ve been waiting for.”
Community partnerships key for Avenir casino
Two of Avenir’s biggest community partners are Covenant House, an organisation assisting homeless youths, and Rethink Food, a nonprofit that redistributes commercial food waste. Employees, beneficiaries and affiliates for both groups have been prominent throughout proceedings.
“The Avenir will not only create affordable housing for New York City youth, but the Avenir will also create jobs so that the youth who we help overcome homelessness and exit our shelter system and sustain their housing,” pledged Renata Alexis, senior vice president for Covenant.
Unions and trade groups of all types have also shown support for the bid, but that is true for the entire field of casino bidders, as all applicants have pledged to use union labour for both construction and permanent jobs. The Avenir is proposing about 8,000 jobs total, right around the middle of the pack of bidders.
“Mr Silverstein’s Avenir project is one example of casino developments in New York City that will ensure New Yorkers have access to permanent, professionally trained, good-paying jobs and strengthen the city’s and state’s economics,” said Santos Rodriguez, chief of staff for the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York.
The war for Manhattan
When it came to local, unaffiliated residents, they boiled down to two general groups: those who lived in Silverstein buildings and were supportive, and those who lived in other housing nearby and were opposed.
An outpouring of residents from Manhattan Plaza, a subsidised housing complex in the area, were especially vocal in their disdain. The majority of these speakers were of retirement age. Many lamented that the work they’d put into improving the neighbourhood over the years has attracted what they view as predatory development. They argue the level of security they’ve built would be eroded again by a casino.
“Anyone that’s coming up to speak to you directly should be from this neigbhourhood. If you’re not from this neighourhood, you do not understand and you are really doing a disservice to Hell’s Kitchen, to you and actually to themselves,” Manhattan Plaza resident Steven Fenning told the commmittee.
As is the case with the Freedom Plaza bid near the United Nations headquarters, residents have questioned why a casino is necessary for development. Silverstein has largely made its money as a landlord, meaning it has the ability to develop successful non-gaming properties. But the plot has sat vacant for years and will continue to sit if not awarded a casino licence.
“This site has been a pit for so long because Silverstein has waited for the political wind to be in his favour, not for any other reason,” said resident Sally Taylor. “You might consider this to be an emotional argument, but when people actually live in a place, it is emotional.”
One resident joked that he asked ChatGPT whether casinos benefitted nearby communities. He said its response was that this was only true for community-owned casinos, which would not be the case here.
Onward and upward for the next generation?
Countering the Manhattan Plaza residents were those from Silverstein’s Silver Towers complex and others in support. Many of these residents were of younger age, advocating the need for advancement rather than prevention. After all, it is midtown Manhattan, perhaps the busiest area in the entire US.
“I just want so say that this is not Oklahoma, this is New York City,” resident Ebony Mackay said directly after a disgruntled speaker. “It’s going to be highly trafficked at all times.”
The desire for economic opportunities for the younger generation has been a theme of nearly all of the New York bids. According to United Way of New York City, 50% of working-age households in the city “do not have incomes that cover basic needs, such as housing, food, health care and transportation”. Multibillion-dollar casino developments, despite their drawbacks, are proving to be attractive among younger residents in search of work.
“I did not move here for peace and quiet, or the nature,” said a resident named Ben. “I moved to the city and continue to love the city for what it represents – fast-paced energy, the economic capital of the world, a place of possibilities for anyone coming from any economic background.”
Dingnews.com 15/09/2025