In December, SL Green announced a partnership with Roc Nation in a bid to win development rights to construct a new Caesars Palace casino and hotel at 1515 Broadway in Times Square, Manhattan. Citing concerns about congestion, economic disturbance, and social harm, a group of community associations and neighboring businesses have formed a coalition to oppose any advancement on the proposed casino.
Known officially as the No Times Square Casino Coalition, members include some of the area’s largest resident associations, restaurants, tourism organizations, and trade associations.
Manhattan’s Community Board 5, whose jurisdiction includes Times Square, has also passed a resolution in opposition of the casino citing adverse impacts to “the labor market, economic activity, congestion, community fallout, and gambling addictions.”
“After a decades-long turnaround that revitalized the neighborhood and turned it into a pre-eminent destination for locals, businesses, and tourists, Times Square is one of the most vibrant areas in the country,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League. “We don’t want to see that progress jeopardized by a casino.”
The proposed development site is currently occupied by a 54-story office tower with frontage along 44th and 45th Streets. Building tenants include Viacom’s global headquarters and the Minskoff Theatre, where The Lion King Broadway musical has shown for 25 years.
Caesars Palace Times Square would occupy the lower eight floors of the building. An 800-key hotel would sit above the casino. Additional components would include multiple restaurants and entertainment venues with programming provided by Roc Nation.
According to the project team for Caesars Palace Times Square, the bid is supported by a broad coalition of Times Square stakeholders representing construction labor, Broadway labor, restaurants, hotels, small businesses, theater, and local residents. AKRF, a New York City-based engineering and developer consulting firm, projects an annual increase of seven million new visitors should the casino be approved.
New York State officials are currently reviewing proposals from a half-dozen teams bidding to win one of four permits to construct a new casino in the downstate region.
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Nearly every day, I think about how the world would be a better place if we just had one more casino.
Also smoke shops, I feel we need more smoke shops.
Build it in Harlem or South Bronx . Both need more investment not midtown .
The best locations for a casino in NYC are places that already serve as entertainment districts such as Times Square and Coney Island, perhaps around Penn Station or Hudson Yards. They would blend right into those environments.
Harlem and the greater South Bronx need investment in the form of affordable housing, market rate housing, commercial amenities, schools, street safety improvements, and transportation.
I agree that Times Square and Coney Island are the most ideal locations for a casino, if one is to be built. However, I do not see a fit at Hudson Yards.
Oddly enough, I also like the proposed ultra high-end casino at Saks 5th Avenue.
Times Square is the best location in NYC for one of these casinos. It would only increase the vibrancy considering it would be a major attraction.
The entire point of Times Square is to be a place that offers a wide variety of entertainment to attract tourism. A Casino is an amenity the area lacks.
Yes, Time Square will be the best place for the Casino.