Manhattan Casino Proposals for Times Square and Hudson Yards Rejected

Casino Proposals Voted Down

• 🎯 Two Manhattan casino proposals, one for Caesars Palace in Times Square and another at Hudson Yards, have been rejected by a community advisory committee.
• 🗳️ Four out of six committee members voted against the plans, effectively eliminating both projects from contention for the coveted casino licenses.

Opposition to Times Square Casino

• 🎭 The Broadway community, including Tony award winner Lese, strongly objected to the Times Square proposal, fearing it would negatively impact the theater district's ecosystem.
• 🗣️ Over a thousand emails and calls from residents expressed opposition, citing concerns about increased congestion and a change in the neighborhood's character.
• 🏢 The Times Square plan, backed by SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Jay-Z's Rock Nation, aimed to transform the Minskoff theater building into a casino and resort, promising billions in revenue and thousands of jobs.

Hudson Yards Proposal Rejection

• disappointment was expressed by developers of the Hudson Yards project, who had spent over two years and two and a half months working with the committee and constituents.
• 🏗️ They believed their proposal for a massive entertainment and casino complex had taken into consideration the desires of elected officials, community boards, and residents.

Remaining Casino Bids

• ⚖️ With these two proposals out, six other proposals are now vying for three downstate casino licenses.
• 📍 These include bids at a United Nations site on the east side of Manhattan, Coney Island in Brooklyn, Aqueduct Racetrack and City Field in Queens, Ferry Point in the Bronx, and Yonkers Raceway in Westchester.
• 🏆 It is noted that Empire City and Resorts World are considered the most successful racetrack casinos globally.
• ⚠️ The report emphasizes that any project failing to clear its community committee will not move forward.