Friends and neighbors of Roosevelt Island, The Beat has an important follow-up for you about the fight to keep a casino out of Times Square. If you’ve been reading our coverage, you know how crucial the stakes are, and here’s your final chance to speak up!
Final Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Public Hearing
When: Thursday, September 11, 2025, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues, right by Times Square)
Why it matters: This is the second and final public hearing for the CAC to hear community concerns about Caesars’ proposal to build a casino in Times Square. RSVP Here Your presence and your voice are vital.
Why Your Attendance Counts
- One last opportunity to speak in person before the CAC makes its recommendation. This hearing is likely your final formal chance to influence the decision.
- Show the strength of opposition. A large turnout sends a clear message—this community stands united against turning our beloved Broadway into something unrecognizable.
- Support those already mobilizing. The “No Times Square Casino” coalition, along with Broadway theaters and local businesses, has been rallying support, distributing pamphlets, and lighting marquees with messages of resistance. Let’s turn that momentum into real impact.
What to Expect on Hearing Day
- Be prepared to wait. Organizers estimate speaking times may take 1–2 hours, so arrive early and plan accordingly.
- Bring your conviction. Share why you oppose the casino, whether it’s because Broadway’s charm matters, Times Square is already overburdened, or you worry about job losses and cultural erosion.
- Wear your support. Consider wearing “No Casino” buttons or stickers. If you’re with a group from the coalition or a theater, coordinate visibility.
Quick Guide for the Day
| Action |
|---|
| Mark your calendar. September 11, 2 PM–8 PM |
| Arrive early to allow for wait time |
| Sign in, line up, be ready to speak or show support |
| Leave feeling empowered, every voice matters |
A Community United for Broadway & Our City
Friends, this isn’t just about development—it’s the fight for New York’s soul. As I wrote before, a casino threatens Broadway’s economic and cultural lifeblood, displacing theatre-goers and diners in favor of slot machines, and turning one of the city’s most vibrant spaces into something that feels hollow and disconnected.
So let’s show up, make sure your neighbor shows up, and let’s pack that hearing hall with people who believe Broadway and Times Square are worth protecting. Together, we can remind the city what we value. Because in the end, it’s not just about saving a neighborhood, it’s about saving the heart of our city.
See you there!
With determination and community spirit,
Ericka O’Connell
—Your neighbor in The Beat, Roosevelt Island Daily
You Can FOIL* It
On April 15, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, a simple exchange revealed something far more consequential than anything formally presented that evening.
