Community Advisory Committee Rejects Times Square Casino Proposal in Victory for Broadway Coalition
A community advisory committee has voted against the proposed Caesars Palace Times Square casino, representing a significant victory for Broadway stakeholders who argued the project threatened the theater district's unique character and economic vitality.
The Community Advisory Committee overseeing the proposed Times Square casino voted against the project, dealing a significant blow to the Caesars Palace development plans. The vote represents a major victory for theater industry stakeholders who had mobilized substantial opposition to the casino proposal.
Jason Laks, President of The Broadway League and member of the No Times Square Casino Coalition, emphasized the importance of protecting Broadway's unique ecosystem. This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway for the one hundred thousand New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods, and for the tens of millions who come from around the world to experience it, Laks stated. A casino can go anywhere, but Broadway only lives here.
The coalition's opposition gained momentum with recent polling data showing strong local resistance. According to a poll released just last week, 67% of registered voters who live in Midtown and on the West Side opposed the proposed Times Square casino. This substantial public opposition provided crucial support for the committee's decision.
The No Times Square Casino Coalition has grown into a formidable grassroots campaign comprising more than 35 organizations. The coalition includes major labor unions such as IATSE—the largest union on Broadway representing 7 locals and 168,000 workers across North America—and the United Federation of Teachers. Social service providers like the Ali Forney Center and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS joined resident groups including the Hell's Kitchen Neighborhood Association and Westside Neighborhood Alliance in opposing the development.
Local elected officials, including State Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Member Tony Simone, Borough President Mark Levine, and Council Member Erik Bottcher, supported the community's position. Laks expressed gratitude for committee members and elected officials who looked at the facts, listened to the residents, and stood up for this neighborhood and the theater community. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between commercial development and preserving cultural districts in major urban centers, particularly in areas like Times Square that serve as global entertainment destinations.