Two major casino proposals for Manhattan — one in Times Square and another in Hell’s Kitchen — were struck down this week after community advisory committees (CACs) voted against allowing the projects to move forward. The decisions marked the first rejections among several bids competing for up to three downstate New York casino licenses.

The Times Square plan, led by SL Green Realty in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, and Live Nation, envisioned redeveloping the 1515 Broadway tower into a $5.4 billion gambling and entertainment destination. Just blocks away, Silverstein Properties pitched The Avenir, a mixed-use casino and hotel project near the Javits Center with 1,000 rooms.

On Wednesday, both bids failed by 4–2 votes in their respective committees, with only representatives appointed by Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul offering support, according to amNY. Local appointees aligned with city and state legislators rejected the proposals after months of heated hearings dominated by neighborhood voices.

Times Square Proposal Sparks Outcry

The Times Square casino faced especially fierce resistance from the Broadway theater industry. The Broadway League’s president, Jason Laks, called the decision a victory for the cultural heart of Manhattan. “A casino can go anywhere, but Broadway only lives here,” he said, praising committee members and elected officials who “looked at the facts, listened to the residents, and stood up for this neighborhood and the theater community.”

Actors, stagehands, musicians, and local residents had lined up during hearings to argue that gambling would undermine the district. Actor Joanne Borts dismissed the idea that casinos would feed Broadway audiences. “A casino doesn’t put people on the street. The casino locks people inside,” she said. Union worker Bill Hubner, who crafts Broadway costumes, voiced fears about losing the district’s unique cultural ecosystem.

Supporters, however, insisted the project could boost tourism and business. Jay-Z argued that casino guests would “buy tickets, fill seats, book dinners before shows, and keep hotels in the area full.” Blue Man Group co-founder Matt Goldman echoed that sentiment, noting Las Vegas’ success in pairing casinos with entertainment.

Despite these claims, public opposition proved decisive. Richard Gottfried, a committee member and appointee of Sen. Liz Krueger, said his “no” vote reflected “the strong opposition voiced at public hearings.”

Hell’s Kitchen Casino Effort Stumbles

Silverstein’s Avenir project encountered similar headwinds. The development team requested more time to amend their plan after being asked to add $1 billion in housing commitments. But the committee declined the postponement request, forcing a vote.

Silverstein COO Dino Fusco said the company lacked time to address last-minute requests. “We sent an email asking the CAC to postpone today’s meeting so we have an opportunity to respond to their request. That was declined,” he told reporters.

Hochul’s appointee Angel Vasquez agreed the vote was premature, noting there were still nearly two weeks before the deadline. “Those conversations are incomplete,” he argued. But Assembly Member Tony Simone’s representative, Matthew Tighe, countered that “this has been a two-year process” and the community could not weigh in on eleventh-hour changes.

Simone himself said the outcome matched what he heard from constituents. “Our office got thousands of emails and calls, and the answer was resoundingly, to reject these two proposals. So we listened,” he said, calling the decision “a win for the West Side.”

Heated Exchanges After the Vote

The tense atmosphere boiled over following the Times Square decision. SL Green CEO Marc Holliday stormed out after blasting the committee. “What you did here today was despicable, a lack of leadership, a lack of consideration for all people who benefit from this proposal,” he said, accusing members of avoiding responsibility.

A spokesperson for the Caesars bid expressed disappointment but stressed continued commitment to New York. “While we disagree with the outcome of this process, we remain committed to advocating for positive change in the city we love,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, community leaders applauded the rejection. Nancy Goshow of Community Board 5 said the vote aligned with neighborhood priorities: “Local residents want more affordable housing, school seats, open space, and safety, so let’s all come together as a community to chart the path forward.”

What’s Next for Downstate Casino Licenses

The setbacks for Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen leave other bids across the city and region still in play. Proposals include a Hard Rock casino near Citi Field in Queens, a Coney Island project, and a Bally’s development at a Bronx golf course once tied to Donald Trump. Two “racinos” in Queens and Yonkers are also seeking upgrades to full-scale casinos.

For now, Broadway and the surrounding West Side have made their stance clear. As Council Member Erik Bottcher, whose appointees voted no on both committees, said: “Casinos must clear a particularly high bar, requiring a uniquely strong degree of community buy-in before being sited in a neighborhood. Despite extensive outreach by the applicants, that level of support has not materialized.”