Caesars Palace Times Square is at the center of a heated debate among proposals for new casinos in downstate New York, owing to its iconic location in Times Square. Known worldwide as the heart of New York City, Times Square is not only a bustling center for tourists but also the headquarters of the Broadway theater and entertainment industry.
Stakeholders SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation argue that their proposal is the most logical choice among the eight total submissions, three of which are situated in Manhattan. The casino, they emphasize, would involve a $5.4 billion retrofit of the existing office building at 1515 Broadway. This approach, they say, would minimize construction and housing impacts compared to a greenfield project.
However, the proposal has met strong opposition from the theater industry, which sees the casino as a threat to its business. On Thursday, Broadway workers and labor representatives gathered for the final public hearing at the Broadhurst Theatre in Manhattan to voice their concerns against Caesars Times Square.
The hearing, which lasted six hours, drew more than 175 speakers. In total, the community advisory committee (CAC) appointed to the project has engaged in over 12 hours of public commentary, the most for any proposal. The CAC is slated to vote on the Caesars Times Square proposal on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Times Square Alliance building. Approval requires a two-thirds majority vote, or four of the six committee members, for the proposal to be considered for one of three downstate casino licenses.
In a bid to win over the committee, representatives from all three partner organizations presented their case once again on Thursday. The key points were reiterated: minimal impact from construction, potential benefits for local businesses, and collaborations with theater and community groups. “Our project has the least possible impact on the surrounding community,” SL Green CEO Marc Holliday emphasized, underscoring that the existing building means no disruption to the streetscape or displacement of housing opportunities.
The project’s security chief, two-time police commissioner Bill Bratton, assured the public of enhanced safety measures. He outlined a comprehensive security plan featuring continuous surveillance and patrols, which he believes will make Times Square “safer everywhere for everyone.”
Rather than relying on Roc Nation founder Jay-Z, SL Green and Caesars enlisted civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton to deliver the final pitch. He highlighted the importance of diversity, noting, “If this casino is established, it will be the first time we will have an institution on Broadway that has diversity at the ownership level.”
The hearing was marked by a visual division: anti-casino attendees clad in red and supporters in purple. Many of those in red, wearing “No Times Square casino” shirts and holding signs, were affiliated with Broadway. “A casino threatens to overwhelm this unique neighborhood character,” stated Patricia White, president of the Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 764. She argued that the city has plenty of empty lots that could be developed for casinos instead.
Though Times Square is not a primarily residential area, local residents fear the increased traffic, congestion, and crime a casino might bring. Nevertheless, stakeholders have promised local theaters and businesses would benefit from the additional foot traffic. Caesars has pledged to extend its rewards program to include nearby partnering businesses, bolstering its promise of economic benefit. Many remain skeptical, however, with one resident expressing concern that the casino’s true aim is profit from those who can least afford it.
The dissent was not unanimous. While the theater community largely opposed the proposal, other labor leaders saw potential benefits. “Every other proposed site would take away from a possible site for affordable housing,” testified Una Adams, director of organizing for Laborers Local 79. She emphasized the importance of preserving potential housing sites, saying, “Our members need affordable housing, and I am hoping that my child can grow up living in New York City with affordable housing available.”
The Caesars community advisory committee now faces the challenge of weighing various factors for a project with a potentially significant impact on its location. While no housing would be displaced, neither would it be created. In contrast, the other two Manhattan bids, Freedom Plaza and Avenir, include housing components. The Caesars project would create union jobs, but the projected 3,000 construction jobs are the lowest among the bids. However, in terms of casino operations expertise, Caesars stands alongside industry giants like MGM, Hard Rock, and Genting.
A local resident, Rita, summed up an optimistic view: “I don’t think it’s just about gambling; I think it’s more about steady paychecks, more opportunities, and giving local businesses a boost.”
As the community advisory committee prepares to vote, the future of Times Square, its theaters, and the proposed Caesars Palace casino hangs in the balance, reflecting broader tensions between economic development and cultural preservation.
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