Caesars Palace Times Square – the joint bid from SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, JAY-Z’s Roc Nation, and Live Nation to bring a state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment destination to 1515 Broadway in Manhattan’s Broadway theater district – has announced new details for yet another deal-sweetening effort to win people to their cause: a $15 million commitment via their partnership with the Civil Rights Foundation to support the buildout of the Museum of Civil Rights, a new civil rights museum which will be located in Manhattan.
The proposed Museum of Civil Rights would be a multicultural center located in the heart of New York City and dedicated to the ongoing struggle for equality. The museum will highlight the heroes and showcase the art, politics, literature, photography, film, music, posters, artifacts and video created by and for all groups who have fought for, and continue to fight for equal opportunity in New York City and the Northeast.
“Caesars Palace Times Square is more than a project—it’s a partnership with New Yorkers,” said Garrett Armwood, Vice President at SL Green. “Supporting the Museum of Civil Rights reflects our belief that progress in this city is only real when it is inclusive, and when we honor those who fought to open doors of opportunity for all. This commitment is about preserving history while investing in the future, ensuring that Times Square remains not only the crossroads of the world, but also a beacon of equity, diversity, and resilience for generations to come.”
“For decades, we’ve marched, organized, and raised our voices to demand justice. Now, thanks to this historic commitment from Caesars Palace Times Square, we will have a permanent home in the heart of New York City to tell that story,“ said Reverend Al Sharpton. “Investments like this are what set this gaming proposal apart from all the rest: a demonstrated commitment to the community they seek to be a part of. Thank you for this support, and we look forward to making this project a reality.”
This commitment is a piece of Caesars Palace Times Square’s $250 million investment in public benefits that also include public safety, workforce support, emergency medical services, and health equity initiatives across Times Square and surrounding neighborhoods.
The casino proposal would reposition an existing office building at 1515 Broadway (home to, among other tenants, Broadway’s The Lion King, located in New York City’s iconic entertainment district, and will be designed with a limited number of restaurants and hotel rooms to create excess demand for dozens of existing establishments in neighboring communities. The coalition supporting the bid now includes more than 300 organizations and businesses including local restaurants, hotels, residents, unions and Broadway stakeholders who the developers say stand to benefit from the project.
Earlier this summer, Caesars Palace Times Square announced a $5 million commitment to support the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center if the bid is accepted for one of three downstate New York gaming licenses being considered.
That financial pledge would be divided into a $2 million commitment to support Callen-Lorde’s existing services in Chelsea and a $3 million commitment to Callen-Lorde Community Health Center for a new Center for Excellence in Sexual Health. The Hell’s Kitchen center would be designed to expand access to rapid, high-quality HIV and STI care.
The casino issue has divided much of the Broadway and Times Square communities, with the Broadway League, TDF, The Shubert Organization, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, various theater-related unions, block associations and iconic restaurants such as Sardi’s and Joe Allen opposed to a theater-district casino. Increased traffic, congestion and economic disruption are among the reasons for the opposition.
Supporting the Caesars Palace proposal are what the bidder says are more than 200 organizations and businesses including local restaurants, hotels, residents, unions and Broadway stakeholders. Actors Equity Association, unlike other unions, has come out in favor of the casino, which the actors and stagehands union says will bring jobs and safety to the area. The casino will be designed with what the bidder calls a limited number of restaurants and hotel rooms “to create excess demand for dozens of existing establishments in neighboring communities.”
Bids were submitted in 2023 after state lawmakers approved the opening of three downstate New York casinos. The state is expected to award the three licenses by the end of 2025.
On June 25, supporters and opponents of the proposed Caesars Palace casino in the Broadway theater district held separate rallies in Times Square to promote their causes.
