News Summary
The Community Advisory Committee has rejected two major casino proposals in Manhattan, Caesars Palace Times Square and Avenir at Hudson Yards. This decision leaves only six remaining bidders for three casino licenses in New York City. Local residents and community members voiced strong opposition to the proposals, fearing negative impacts on cultural significance and local businesses. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over economic development versus cultural preservation in urban environments. The final decision on the remaining proposals will be made by a state authority later this year.
New York City – The Community Advisory Committee has officially rejected two prominent casino proposals in Manhattan, namely Caesars Palace Times Square and Avenir at Hudson Yards. The decision followed a committee vote that saw just two out of six members supporting the projects, while four members cast opposing votes.
This rejection significantly narrows the competitive landscape, leaving only six remaining bidders for the three available casino licenses in New York City. The contenders include proposals from various locations, such as Coney Island, Aqueduct Racetrack, Citi Field, United Nations/East Side, Ferry Point, and Yonkers Raceway. Notably, the Yonkers proposal is being led by MGM Resorts, which aims to enhance its Empire City Casino by adding live gaming tables.
The Times Square proposal was met with substantial criticism, especially from members of the Broadway community, who argued that a casino in the area would undermine its cultural significance. Community concerns were shared by local residents, with many expressing fears that the introduction of a casino would adversely affect existing businesses and the local theater scene.
Among the key features of the Caesars Palace Times Square proposal were plans for a nightclub, approximately 1,000 hotel rooms, and 150,000 square feet of gaming space. The developer, SL Green, had projected that the project would generate around $7 billion in taxes, along with significant investment into the surrounding neighborhood. Despite these anticipated benefits, the committee opted against supporting the proposal.
Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green, condemned the committee’s choice, characterizing it as a sign of cowardice that overlooked the potential benefits the project could have delivered to the community. Similarly, the Freedom Plaza proposal, a casino project near the United Nations, also faced rejection from the committee.
The opposition to the Manhattan casino projects has been further fueled by broader disapproval from local residents and officials, including State Senator Liz Krueger, who pointed out the potential negative ramifications such developments could have on the surrounding areas. Additionally, concerns were raised by North Jersey Senator Paul Sarlo regarding how the emergence of new casinos in Manhattan could impact New Jersey’s gambling revenues.
The final adjudication regarding the remaining casino proposals is expected to be made by a state authority by the end of the year, following an additional round of consideration. The anticipation surrounding this decision highlights the ongoing tension between those who see potential economic growth in casino establishments and those who fear the cultural and social repercussions of such developments in urban settings.
This latest turn of events underscores the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing discussions regarding casinos in New York City, where competing interests between economic opportunity and cultural preservation continue to create significant debate and division.
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HERE Resources
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Mayor Adams Advocates for Remaining Casino Proposals in NYC
Caesars Palace Casino Proposal Rejected in Times Square
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Public Hearing on Caesars Palace Casino and Hotel Proposal
Additional Resources
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Gaming in New York
- Politico
- Google Search: New York City casino proposals
- The Hollywood Reporter
- Google Scholar: New York casino development
- City & State NY
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Casinos
- AP News
- Google News: Casino proposals New York City
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.
