Broadway Community Protests Proposed Times Square Casino

Proposed Times Square Casino

• 🎯 A proposal for a Caesar's Palace, Times Square casino, backed by singer Jay-Z, is vying for one of three New York City area casino licenses.
• 📍 The proposed location is the building behind the marquee of The Lion King on Broadway.

Broadway Community Opposition

• 🎭 16 Broadway theaters lit up their marquees to signal opposition to the controversial casino project.
• ⚠️ Theater industry members worry the casino will cannibalize Broadway, which they consider the economic engine of the city.
• 💬 Protesters argue that Times Square is home to Broadway, a cultural institution that has been there for hundreds of years.

Public Hearing and Advisory Committee

• 🎤 A public hearing was held, featuring a mix of individuals for and against the casino project.
• ⚖️ The hearing is one of two before a six-person community advisory committee votes; four yes votes are needed to advance to a state panel vote.
• 🗓️ Some attendees expressed frustration over the short notice and inconvenient location of the hearing, hoping the next meeting in September will be more accessible.

Developer's Economic Claims

• 💰 The developer, Essel Green, with Jay-Z's Rock Nation as a partner, claims the casino complex would generate $7 billion in taxes over 10 years and inject nearly $27 billion into the local economy.
• 📈 The project is also expected to create thousands of jobs and drive business to local restaurants through Caesar's reward program.