Caesars Palace Times Square Adds Civil Rights Museum Funding to Casino Proposal

^{Reverend Al Sharpton, pictured above, has partnered with the developers for Caesars Times Square and praised how the civil rights focus sets their proposal apart from the others. (Photo: Ron Adar / ZUMA Press Wire via Alamy)}

Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and SL Green continued their efforts to win over public support for their New York casino proposal this week, announcing a $15 million commitment to funding a Museum of Civil Rights in Manhattan.

This pledge is part of their efforts to land licensing support for a future Caesars Palace Times Square.

The money will be used in partnership with the Civil Rights Foundation to support the building of the museum.

Sharpton Praises ‘Permanent Home’ for Civil Rights Stories

The proposed museum would feature art, politics, literature, artifacts, videos and more created by and for groups that fight for equal opportunity in New York City and the northeastern United States. 

“Caesars Palace Times Square is more than a project – it’s a partnership with New Yorkers,” SL Green Vice President Garrett Armwood said in a statement. “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.”

The funding decision was also praised by Reverend Al Sharpton, who has partnered with the developers to support Caesars Palace Times Square.

“For decades, we’ve marched, organized, and raised our voices to demand justice,” Sharpton said in a statement. “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. 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.”

Museum is Latest in String of Promised Community Benefits

Caesars Palace Times Square has been touting its commitment to Broadway, Hell’s Kitchen, and the broader New York City community in an effort to bolster its chances of receiving one of three available downstate casino licenses.

In June, the developers announced that they would invest $5 million to expand services at the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which is known for providing medical care to the LGBTQ+ community without regard for ability to pay. That was followed in July by a promise to offer exclusive job fairs for union actors and musicians on Broadway looking for extra local work. And earlier in August, they shifted $22.5 million in ongoing profits to the West Side Community Fund, money that was previously earmarked exclusively for Manhattan Plaza. 

“We’ve heard from many members of the community, who support our objective but wanted assurances that it would be administered fairly and in a way that truly all of the West Side community’s voice to be heard,” the casino developers said in a statement. “We believe that all development should generate benefits for the community.” 

These benefits, along with others that are part of a $250 million commitment promised by the developers, are contingent on Caesars Palace Times Square receiving a downstate casino license. The Times Square proposal is one of the eight other bids from operators who are vying to receive one of the three casino licenses that are up for grabs. The project’s next hurdle is getting the green light from its Community Advisory Committee, with four of the six members needing to approve of the project for it to advance in the licensing process.