The battle for casino licenses stepped up a gear yesterday, as local elected officials named their representatives to powerful Community Advisory Committees — and the team behind The Avenir faced a two-and-a-half-hour public meeting in Hell’s Kitchen.
The New York State Gaming Commission revealed the full slate of Community Advisory Committee (CAC) appointees, who will now play a key role in determining whether the casino proposals move forward. To advance, each bid must secure a two-thirds majority from a six-person panel appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Councilmember Erik Bottcher, Assemblymember Tony Simone, and either Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (for The Avenir) or Senator Liz Krueger (for Caesars Times Square).
Among the most notable appointees is Richard Gottfried — the retired longtime West Side Assemblymember — named by both Hoylman-Sigal and Krueger. A respected veteran of Albany politics, Gottfried brings decades of institutional knowledge to the process. His appointment is particularly interesting, given the positions of his nominators: both Hoylman-Sigal and Krueger have spoken out against casinos in Manhattan, with Hoylman-Sigal stating during his Borough President campaign: “If you want a Manhattan casino, don’t vote for me.”
Councilmember Bottcher appointed two members of his staff to serve: Carl Wilson (for Caesars Times Square) and Quentin Heilbroner (for The Avenir). “While I will be making the final decisions, Carl and Quentin will play key roles in managing the high volume of meetings and community engagement this process will require,” Bottcher told W42ST. “I look forward to hearing from residents throughout.”
Assemblymember Tony Simone also chose a close aide — his Chief of Staff, Matthew Tighe — for both committees. “I will be represented on the CACs by Matt, who has served this district for over eight years and will work with his fellow appointees to manage an open and transparent process so that the community is fully heard,” said AM Simone in a statement to W42ST this morning.
“We are excited to present Caesars Palace Times Square to our Community Advisory Committee”, said Brett Herschenfeld, EVP with SL Green — responding to the appointments. “Our project design is the result of hundreds of meetings with community members, non-profits and local businesses to build a proposal that our community can be proud of.”…