News Summary
A recent survey shows that a majority of Times Square residents oppose the proposed Caesars Palace hotel and casino project. Concerns over increased crime, traffic congestion, and quality of life have driven 67% of registered voters against it. With significant backing from prominent figures and an investment of $5.5 billion, the project aims to create 13,000 jobs. However, widespread opposition remains, especially among women and older voters, as the community advisory committee prepares to vote on the proposal.
New York City—A recent survey indicates that a significant majority of Times Square residents oppose the proposed Caesars Palace Times Square casino project, which is backed by prominent figures and companies including Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Live Nation. According to the poll commissioned by the No Times Square Casino coalition, about 67% of registered voters in the area are against the project, with exactly 50% expressing strong opposition. Only 24% of voters support the casino, while the remaining 9% remain undecided.
Residents have raised serious concerns about the potential impacts of the casino on their community. Among the worries, 77% of respondents cited fears of increased crime, 74% voiced concerns about worsening traffic congestion, and 75% indicated a belief that the overall quality of life in the area would suffer. As a result, members of a community advisory committee, appointed by local leadership, may vote on the casino proposal by the end of September, which adds urgency to the public discussion.
The proposed project is slated for construction at the corner of 1515 Broadway and 45th Street and involves an investment of $5.5 billion. The development aims to repurpose an existing office building and is projected to create 13,000 jobs, primarily benefiting Broadway employees and local community members. Developers argue the venue will generate significant new business for nearby hotels, restaurants, and theaters.
Caesars officials anticipate that their project—though designed to include only 992 hotel rooms—will generate enough demand to produce 1 million additional hotel bookings per year. They assert that the casino’s presence will bolster the hospitality sector, driving an estimated $125 million in new annual ticket sales for Broadway productions. However, opponents argue that it may detract from the theater district’s appeal, potentially leading to closures and job losses in the arts and restaurant sectors.
Opposition to the project appears widespread among diverse demographic groups. The polling data indicates that 73% of women oppose the casino, along with 74% of voters aged 55 and older. Feedback from the community remains strongly against the casino proposal, even in light of developers’ ongoing efforts to communicate with residents to gauge support.
The Broadway League, the trade association for the Broadway theater industry, has been proactive in voicing opposition to the casino. They have taken measures such as inserting anti-casino pamphlets into Playbill magazines, thereby targeting audiences attending shows.
As the deadline for a community vote approaches, the sentiment against the Caesars Palace Times Square project remains robust and firmly established among many residents. Despite the developers’ claims that the casino will catalyze growth for New York City’s tourism and hospitality sectors, a significant portion of the community is standing firm in its resistance.
The future of the proposed Caesars Palace Times Square project now rests on the outcome of the upcoming advisory committee vote, reflecting a pivotal moment for the Times Square community as it grapples with the potential changes this development would bring.
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Additional Resources
- Travel Agent Central: Public Hearings Show Support for Jay-Z Backed Caesars Palace Times Square
- NY Daily News: Times Square Casino Will Help NYC’s Hotels
- New York Post: Vast Majority of Locals Oppose Times Square Casino Backed by Jay-Z, New Poll Says
- iGaming Business: Caesars Times Square Hearing – Broadway Opposed
- Caesars Investor Relations: SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation Submit
- Wikipedia: Times Square
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City
- Google Search: Caesars Palace Times Square Casino
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
