Supporters, opponents voice positions on Caesars Palace Times Square project

Caesars Entertainment, SL Green Realty Corp., and Roc Nation presented their $5.4 billion Caesars Palace Times Square casino plan during a public hearing convened by their assigned local Community Advisory Committee (CAC) on Wednesday.

The proposed project would redevelop an existing building at 1515 Broadway and is one of eight bids for up to three downstate New York casino licenses.

The hearing at Victor Borge Hall in Scandinavia House drew hundreds of attendees and lasted about seven hours. The CAC is required to hold at least one more hearing before a binding vote by September 30. Four of the six committee members must approve the bid for it to advance to the next stage.

SL Green CEO Marc Holliday told attendees the redevelopment would use an existing structure to minimize construction impact and that the casino floor would not be accessible at street level. He said the project would include measures to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Times Square.

Caesars CEO Tom Reeg said the project is positioned to draw international visitors and integrate local businesses into the company’s Caesars Rewards program under a “hub-and-spoke” model. Currently, Caesars’ nearest property to New York is in Atlantic City.

SL Green Executive Vice President Brett Herschenfeld said the partners have spent five years engaging with local stakeholders and would continue to work toward delivering “the benefits this community deserves.” The proposal calls for about 3,000 construction jobs.

The hearing featured a large turnout from trade unions, including Construction & General Building Laborers’ Local 79, whose representatives cited job creation as a primary reason for support. “The simple fact is that there will be a gaming licence awarded to New York City, and this is the proposal that makes the most sense,” said Billy King, Local 79 recording secretary.

Some Local 79 members repeated prepared statements praising union labor on the project. Other union voices, such as Local 7 member Tierra Williams, said the commitment to union jobs was a deciding factor for their support.

Meanwhile, opponents included representatives from the Broadway League, actors’ unions, and theater groups. Several Broadway theaters displayed “No Times Square Casino” on their marquees during the rally preceding the hearing. Critics argued a casino could divert audiences from Broadway, which they said contributes billions annually to the city’s economy.

Public comments reflected a near-even split among local residents. Some cited concerns over congestion and quality of life, while others said the area’s economic conditions warranted new development.

Meanwhile, two local celebrities, both friends of Roc Nation and project rep Jay-Z, gave endorsements, as rapper Fat Joe and radio host Charlamagne Tha God spoke in favor of the proposal at the hearing.

The CAC will schedule at least one more hearing before voting. If approved by the CAC, the project will move forward for consideration by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board.