A surprise $22.5 million pledge to a beloved Hell’s Kitchen housing complex has thrown fresh heat into Manhattan’s already blazing casino race. Caesars Palace Times Square just changed the game — and the battle lines are getting sharper.
The city’s last remaining full-scale casino licence is up for grabs, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Two of the most high-profile contenders — SL Green’s Caesars Palace Times Square and Silverstein Properties’ The Avenir — are in a tug-of-war over the West Side. At the centre of it all? Six community advisers, one cash-flush promise, and a public housing complex that’s home to New York’s artists and actors.
Manhattan Plaza Gets an Unexpected Spotlight
For years, Manhattan Plaza quietly stood as a cultural sanctuary, housing low-income artists, actors, and performers in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen. Now, thanks to a sudden $22.5 million commitment from Caesars, it’s found itself front and centre in a political and corporate chess match.
SL Green and Caesars announced the pledge this week, stating the money would be used for infrastructure upgrades, tenant support and ongoing preservation of affordable housing. It’s a move clearly aimed at winning favour with both residents and the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) — the small, unelected group with enormous power to make or break the casino bids.
The timing? Not subtle.
The Casino Race: Who’s In, Who’s Betting Big
Two major bids. One piece of turf. Billion-dollar backing on both sides. It’s getting intense.
The Avenir, led by Silverstein Properties, is pushing a proposal for a new casino complex that promises sleek luxury and economic uplift. Over at 1515 Broadway, Caesars Palace Times Square is making its play in a busier, more congested — but undeniably iconic — location.
SL Green’s offer is packed with sweeteners:
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$22.5M to Manhattan Plaza
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Local hiring preferences
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No hotel rooms added, preserving neighbourhood balance
Silverstein’s team hasn’t dropped a counter-pledge yet — but insiders suggest one could come before the next CAC meeting.
Who Are the CAC — And Why Do They Matter So Much?
The Community Advisory Committees were formed with little fanfare — but they now hold immense influence. Every New York casino bid must pass through them before it can even reach the state review panel.
In Manhattan, six members sit on the CAC. They’re drawn from various spheres: local government, state reps, borough presidents. They’re expected to weigh the proposals not just on economic merits, but also on local impact, community fit and political feasibility.
The upcoming votes? Secret, weighted, and non-binding — yet deeply influential.
Only one thing is clear: If the CAC blocks a project, it’s effectively dead in the water.
Neighbours Split: Promise or Problem?
Walk down 43rd Street today and you’ll find plenty of opinions — most of them loud.
Some residents of Manhattan Plaza welcome the Caesars cash, seeing it as a chance to preserve their homes for decades to come. But others are deeply sceptical, viewing the casino as a potential menace to the area’s already fragile social fabric.
“I don’t want Times Square turning into Atlantic City,” one longtime resident muttered. “We’ve kept this place alive for the artists. Not for blackjack tables.”
Another countered: “Twenty-two million is a big deal. We’ve been begging for improvements for years. And now suddenly someone’s offering.”
One sentence, but it sums up the paradox: salvation or sellout?
What’s at Stake? A Lot More Than Just a Casino
New York State has authorised just three new downstate casino licences. Two are all but locked in for “racino” conversions in Yonkers and Queens. That leaves one — just one — for the likes of Caesars and Silverstein.
The potential revenue is mouthwatering. A 2023 state report projected over $1 billion in annual gaming revenue from a single successful Manhattan casino. Jobs, tourism, union contracts, real estate — all wrapped into one shiny, controversial bundle.
Here’s a quick look at the current Manhattan casino contenders:
| Bidder | Location | Key Backers | Community Commitment | CAC Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caesars Palace Times Sq | 1515 Broadway | SL Green, Caesars | $22.5M to Manhattan Plaza | 1st meeting held |
| The Avenir | Hudson Yards area | Silverstein Props | TBD | 1st meeting held |
And that’s not even factoring in the lobbying dollars, political power plays and PR campaigns now revving up behind the scenes.
The Coming Weeks Could Be Decisive
With CAC meetings underway and public hearings looming, pressure is mounting on both sides. The city’s political class is watching closely, weighing union endorsements, local polling, and donor interest.
There’s also the quiet battle happening within the CAC itself — six individuals under extraordinary scrutiny, now forced to weigh community needs against citywide ambitions.
Expect more pledges, more headlines, and possibly more tension.
The stakes? Pretty much everything, if you’re a resident, a developer or someone watching the skyline shift.
