Overwhelming criticism
The Times Square casino proposal is led by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Caesars, and SL Green. It is one of eight that are under consideration for three casino operators’ licenses in downstate New York. The winners of the licenses are expected to be announced in December.
Before the projects can go before the Gaming Facility Location Board for a final verdict, they must receive approval from local Community Advisory Committees (CAC). That could prove to be an issue for the Times Square project, given the strongly negative public reaction to the plans.
“This deep opposition spans every major demographic group, but is especially pronounced among women, who oppose the casino by a margin of 73% to 17%, and seniors, where nearly three-quarters (74%) are opposed compared to only 16% who support it,” said Tulchin, while noting a “staggering” margin of nine dissenters per supporter.
Related to the project, 64 percent of the poll’s respondents said they were less likely to support a candidate who supported a nearby casino.
That was more than three times higher than those who said they would vote for a candidate who had plans to expand casino gambling.
“These concerns cut across demographics and have remained consistent over time despite the casino sponsors’ efforts to sway public opinion,” Tulchin said. “For elected officials, the message is unmistakable: backing this project runs counter to the will of voters.”
All for nothing?
Plans for the casino indicate that approval would result in the redevelopment of primarily office buildings at 1515 Broadway and 45th Street.
The casino’s leadership team has taken many steps to obtain public approval. They pledged $15 million to build a civil rights museum as part of $250 million in public investment, reallocated funds to support the entire Manhattan area, promised to hold monthly job fairs to hook up Broadway employees with jobs between gigs, and estimated a total of $7 billion in tax contributions during its first 10 years.
Despite that, the $5.4 billion project has failed to woo locals.
Many critics of the casino turned out for the first day of the casino’s public hearing period last month. Local theaters flashed “No Times Square Casino” on their marquees, while speakers discussed the potential harm to the area.
Concerns expressed cited increases in traffic, noise, and crime, and a general shift in the atmosphere of the theater district.
The CAC will vote before the end of September to recommend approval or denial of the casino operator’s license.
