Caesars Entertainment, SL Green, and Roc Nation are pushing ahead with their vision to bring a casino to Times Square. As part of the early approval process, the New York State Gaming Commission held a virtual public hearing on Wednesday evening to gather community input. Another session is set for May 28.
Good to know
- Caesars Times Square casino proposal would retrofit 1515 Broadway.
- Public input helps shape the environmental impact report.
- Most speakers at the hearing were labor union representatives supporting the project.
The hearing marked a key step in the environmental review process for the proposal, which includes a casino, hotel, and related attractions. The plan would overhaul 1515 Broadway—currently an office building—if the group wins one of the available state casino licenses.
Robert Williams, executive director of the NYSGC, classified the project as a “Type 1 action,” meaning it could have potential environmental impacts and must undergo additional reviews. Stakeholders, including residents and officials, offered early feedback that will inform the project’s draft environmental impact statement.
Union Support Dominates the Hearing
SL Green’s Executive Vice President Robert Schiffer opened the meeting by calling Times Square “the logical choice” for a New York City casino. He stressed that the project would not displace any housing and would avoid large-scale construction disruption thanks to the existing building’s footprint. “This team is committed to a New York-first, neighbourhood-forward, sustainable approach,” Schiffer said.
Labor leaders dominated the two-hour hearing. About 75% of those who spoke represented unions or trade groups, strongly backing the project for the construction and permanent jobs it promises. One speaker noted, “This is the only project where we’re guaranteed to see a significant number of new, good-paying union jobs be created. Jobs that won’t happen without this licence.”
Several supporters argued that Manhattan is likely to receive one of the state’s three casino licenses, and they warned that Caesars’ Times Square proposal depends entirely on getting one. Without it, they said, the space is unlikely to attract future development on the same scale.
Opposition at the hearing came mainly from members of the theatre industry, who have long voiced concern that a casino could hurt the performing arts district. One speaker pointed to potential noise pollution affecting rehearsals and matinees, while another cited traffic and crowding that might delay theatergoers.
A single voice raised concerns about gambling-related harm. The speaker warned that the project could introduce financial strain to vulnerable groups, arguing that casinos profit when people lose money. “Nobody talks about these benefits that aren’t benefits,” he said.
The official deadline for casino bid submissions is June 27. The state plans to award up to three licenses before the end of the year. For now, Caesars and its partners await the next phase of the environmental review and continued public feedback.
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