Citing concerns about congestion, economic disturbance, social harm and other issues, a growing coalition of prominent community stakeholders today announced its opposition to a proposal for a casino in Times Square. The new coalition already includes some of the area’s largest resident associations, iconic restaurants, key tourism organizations and trade associations and has launched a website – NoTimesSquareCasino.com.
As the competition for downstate casino licenses intensifies this spring, the Gaming Facility Location Board’s Request for Applications has made clear its intention that “only projects embraced by the community are placed before the Board for consideration.” When it comes to Times Square, the community has spoken with a resounding “NO.”
Early members of the No Times Square Casino coalition, which urged officials to reject the proposal and called on other residents and community stakeholders to join their efforts, include:
- The Broadway League, the trade association representing Broadway’s theatre owners and operators, producers, presenters, and general managers.
- The Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association, a volunteer membership and advocacy organization representing residents and community members in Hell’s Kitchen South focused on enriching the area’s unique urban character.
- The Hell’s Kitchen Block Association, which was formed in response to the over-development of the Hudson Yards area.
- The West 47th – 48th Streets Block Association, which was formed more than 50 years ago to advocate for residents living on West 47th and 48th Streets, from 8th Avenue to 11th Avenue.
- The Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association, which advocates for positive changes in the Manhattan Plaza residential complex, home to nearly 3,500 people, and the surrounding neighborhood.
- The Clinton Hell’s Kitchen Chelsea Coalition for Pedestrian Safety (CHEKPEDS), founded in 2005 by residents and community leaders to reclaim 9th Avenue from hellish Lincoln Tunnel traffic, works directly with elected officials and other community stakeholders to obtain crucial traffic relief and pedestrian safety measures locally and citywide.
- Times Square Church, one of the largest interdenominational churches in New York City, with a congregation representing more than 100 different nationalities, is located at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in the Theater District.
- Encore Community Services, which since 1977 has provided seniors in Times Square/Clinton communities with a range of caring and quality services to help them live independent and dignified lives.
- Sardi’s, one of New York City’s most storied restaurants for over 100 years, is part of the magic of Broadway, providing as many as 600 pre-show meals to theatregoers each night.
- Joe Allen, the quintessential New York restaurant in the heart of the Theater District that’s welcomed performers, locals and tourists for more than 50 years.
- Orso, the elegant but informal Italian restaurant and one of the premier dining destinations on “Restaurant Row.”
- Bar Centrale, one of the Theater District’s hidden gems.
- The American Bus Association, the most trusted motorcoach, group tour and travel association in the industry, provides nearly 600 million passenger trips annually.
- The Student & Youth Travel Association, a non-profit, professional trade association that promotes the social and economic value of student and youth travel worldwide. SYTA is the “Voice of Student and Youth Travel.”
Separately, Manhattan’s Community Board 5, which includes Times Square, has already passed a resolution recommending “opposition of casino development in CB 5 and urges our elected official to vote no on the siting of a casino in CB 5,” citing “the labor market, economic activity, congestion, community fallout and gambling addictions.”
Among the concerns raised by community stakeholders:
- Congestion. Times Square is already the most heavily trafficked crossroads in the Western Hemisphere, A casino would bring thousands of taxi drop-offs, deliveries and load-ins that will further snarl traffic and make Times Square less safe, less livable and less friendly to the pedestrians and families that drive the area’s economy.
- Undermining Times Square’s recovery. After a long recovery from the pandemic, visitors are rediscovering the allure of the theater and returning to restaurants around Times Square. Casinos are built to keep visitors inside their doors for as long as possible, patronizing their own restaurants, shops and entertainment venues – at the expense of the 90,000-plus jobs area businesses support.
- Economic disruption and social harm. Research shows that, Las Vegas aside, casinos don’t meaningfully drive new tourism. Instead, they act as magnets for local gamblers and prey on vulnerable populations. A Times Square casino would make the community less welcoming to families from all over the world.
- Weakening NYC’s tax base. The economic benefits of casinos dwindle over time with fewer customers and falling tax revenue, especially in dense cities. By contrast, the theaters and businesses that a Times Square casino would disrupt have proven to grown the city’s jobs and economy decade after decade.
“After a decades-long turnaround that revitalized the neighborhood and turned it into a pre-eminent destination for locals, businesses and tourists, Times Square is one of the most vibrant areas in the country. We don’t want to see that progress jeopardized by a casino,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League. “We hope to be joined by more members of the community as the casino siting process moves forward.”
“No matter how much emphasis promoters try to place on glitz and glamour, a casino in Times Square has the potential to unravel the fabric of the theater district and jeopardize the fate of its restaurants,” said Max Klimavicius, owner of Sardi’s.
“Small businesses in our community have had to overcome profound challenges since the pandemic – a plan for a casino in Times Square creates unnecessary hazards that we should not have to confront,” said Mary Hattman of Joe Allen and Orso restaurants.
“The streets bringing vehicular traffic to Times Square from the West Side are excessively congested. With its limos and buses, a casino would make it much more unsafe for residents, tourists and commuters who walk,” said Christine Berthet, co-founder of CHEKPEDS.
“We are troubled by a proposal to put a casino in the heart of an area that, historically, has been difficult to access and presents profound challenges for our members,” said Peter Pantuso, president & CEO of the American Bus Association. “While we can support the creation of a casino in a less congested area of downstate New York, the density and existing traffic problems of Times Square make it a poor choice.”
“The Hell’s Kitchen Block Association is categorically opposed to a casino in Times Square, or anywhere in Manhattan,” said Julia Campanelli, president of Hell’s Kitchen Block Association. “We demand our elected officials in Albany stop selling our city to the highest commercial development builders and instead create desperately needed affordable housing for residents.”
“The theater district is a treasured destination for students and young people seeking culturally enriching experiences in New York City,” said Carylann Assante, CEO of the Student & Youth Travel Association. “Adding the volatility of a casino to one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the country is certainly not in the best interest of the young people we serve.”
“The very last thing Times Square needs is a casino,” said Kathleen Treat, president of the Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association.
For more information and to sign on visit NoTimesSquareCasino.com.
