Times Square casino bid draws mixed reactions, with theater community rallying against project

A proposed casino development in the heart of Times Square is drawing opposition from some Broadway stakeholders and community groups, leading the theater community to stage a rally on Wednesday. The move took place ahead of the deadline to submit a formal bid for the project, which ended on Friday.

The project, which would see Caesars Palace Times Square built at 1515 Broadway, has sparked debate over its potential economic and social impacts. Supporters of the plan say it would generate billions in tax revenue, create thousands of jobs, and increase public safety through private investment.

Developers have committed to funding the project privately and officially filed a bid proposal on Friday.

Broadway community pushes back

Representatives from the Broadway League, a trade association for theater owners and producers, held a demonstration Wednesday outside the proposed site, arguing that a casino could negatively affect the theater district.

“The last thing Times Square needs is a casino. We never needed a casino to bring Broadway back,” said Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League. “I think it could be an existential crisis for Broadway. I think it could put our theaters at risk, our communities at risk, the neighborhood at risk.”

Broadway performer Lachanze also voiced concern: “To bring a casino to this area, at this time, would just wreak havoc and break up all the work that we’ve done on Broadway to bring Broadway back.”

The proposed plan reportedly includes a dedicated on-site Broadway theater, potentially for a long-running production such as The Lion King. Laks, however, criticized the strategy, saying: “These people want to take what we have spent years cultivating and profit off us.”

Local residents also express concerns

Mark Jennings, executive director of Project Find, which serves senior citizens in Midtown, said the organization conducted informal polling that revealed dissatisfaction with the proposal among older residents.

“We polled the older adults in our building, and they despise it for the congestion that it was going to bring, for the potential of additional crime,” Jennings said. “They believe this is going to be an immense disaster.”

Backers of the plan argue that Times Square’s established position as a tourism hub makes it a logical choice for a casino. According to the development team, the venue would be privately financed and is expected to contribute substantial tax revenues to the city and state.

A demonstration in favor of the casino project took place on Thursday, organized by groups that support its proposed economic and employment benefits.