Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 14, 2025
Broadway Unites Against Times Square Casino Proposal
TLDR
- Opposing the Times Square casino could protect Broadway's economic vitality and prevent exploitation of vulnerable populations, offering a strategic advantage to local businesses and unions.
- The Broadway community's opposition to the casino involves lighting marquees, rallying, and a public hearing to systematically challenge the proposal's approval process.
- Stopping the Times Square casino project would safeguard community welfare, prevent increased crime, and support Broadway's cultural and economic resurgence for a better future.
- 16 Broadway theatres lit up their marquees in a striking visual protest against the proposed Times Square casino, uniting the community in a bold statement.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it highlights a significant community pushback against a development that could alter the cultural and economic landscape of Times Square and Broadway. The proposed casino raises concerns about increased crime, traffic, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, issues that resonate beyond the immediate community to anyone who values the cultural integrity and safety of urban spaces. The broad coalition of opponents, including major unions and local organizations, reflects the proposal's potential to disrupt not just the entertainment industry but also the social fabric of the neighborhood.
Summary
The Broadway community, alongside local residents and non-profit organizations, rallied against SL Green's proposed Times Square casino, highlighting concerns over its potential negative impact on Broadway's economic vitality, the exploitation of vulnerable populations, and the introduction of quality of life issues. In a striking display of unity, 16 Broadway theatre marquees, including iconic venues like the Majestic and the St. James, illuminated with the message "No Times Square Casino," directing the public to NoTimesSquareCasino.com to voice their opposition. This protest coincided with the first public hearing of the Community Advisory Committee, offering a platform for the 71% of Midtown residents opposed to the casino, as per a Tulchin Research poll, to express their concerns.
The opposition has galvanized a broad coalition of 35 organizations, including major Broadway unions like IATSE, social service providers, and neighborhood associations, underscoring the widespread resistance to the casino proposal. The coalition argues that the casino is out of step with the neighborhood's post-pandemic resurgence, evidenced by Broadway's record-breaking season. Photos and videos of the marquees and rally can be seen here, showcasing the community's solidarity against the proposed development.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Broadway Unites Against Times Square Casino Proposal
