Caesars Times Square Casino Promises $15M for Manhattan Civil Rights Museum

The team proposing the Caesars Palace Times Square casino has said it will give $15 million to help build the Museum of Civil Rights in Manhattan. The group, Caesars Entertainment, SL Green Realty, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, shared that this promise is part of a bigger plan to offer $250 million in public benefits if their $5.4 billion casino project gets a state license.

Developers Promise Jobs and Public Benefits as Broadway Pushes Back Against Casino Plan

Al Sharpton, head of the National Action Network, working with the developers, applauded the promise. He called it a big move to honor the city’s civil rights history. He pointed out that the planned museum could become a key spot for learning and community involvement in New York.

The developers say this promise is just part of a bigger plan. This plan aims to improve public safety, create job programs, and boost health equity in Times Square and nearby areas. The project at 1515 Broadway plans to create about 3,000 building jobs and 3,800 long-term jobs. It also expects to bring in around $7 billion in tax money in its first ten years.

Despite these promises, opposition to the casino stays strong. The Broadway League, speaking for 24 theaters, has kicked off a campaign asking theatergoers to fight against the project. In the last week, people at popular shows found pamphlets in their Playbills warning that a casino might draw audiences away from Broadway, hurt local businesses, and change the feel of the Theater District.

Community activists agree with these worries, pointing out possible increases in traffic, crime, and strain on public services. Digital signs showing “No Times Square Casino” still light up across the district, showing a growing grassroots pushback.

Supporters Tout Jobs and Tourism as Times Square Casino Awaits Key Advisory Decision

Advocates argue that the project would breathe new life into the neighborhood, attract more Broadway visitors, and provide steady work for theater staff between shows. Unions in the building trades, hospitality, and entertainment sectors have expressed firm backing, while well-known figures like rapper Fat Joe and radio personality Charlamagne tha God claim the development could bring long-term economic gains.

The project’s future now depends on the Community Advisory Committee, a group of six members set to make a recommendation by the end of September. Their input will have an impact on the state’s choice as it gets ready to grant three downstate casino permits later this year.

The impact of the $15 million museum pledge on public opinion remains unclear. As of now, the argument about a Times Square casino’s effect on New York’s cultural and economic outlook continues unabated.