The support for Times Square to receive one of New York’s three downstate casino licenses continues to grow.
Most recently, representatives from 20 New York labor unions (and counting) signed a letter to local elected officials in favor of a bid for Caesars Palace Times Square. The letter asked the officials to support it, too.
A winning bid from Caesars would establish its authority in the nation’s largest city. It would also boost its presence statewide before online casino legislation is passed. New York is the largest sports betting market nationwide and would follow suit in iGaming as soon as NY online casinos become legal.
Support letter addresses three NY officials
Representatives from New York trade unions signed a letter addressed to three officials whose constituencies include the prospective Caesars property, which would fill a 54-story building in Times Square.
- Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President
- Tony Simone, State Assemblymember
- Erik Bottcher, City Councilmember
The letter read:
“The team behind Caesars Palace Times Square knows and understands New York City. They recognize that when Times Square thrives, the entire city thrives. And they are prepared to invest billions of dollars in converting the office building at 44th Street and Broadway into a world-class gaming, hospitality, and entertainment destination, an investment that will transform the economic life of Times Square.”
The next steps in the bidding process will require Levine, Simone and Bottcher to appoint members to a Community Advisory Committee. This committee will review the proposal and determine if it is worthy of receiving one of New York’s three downstate gaming licenses.
Proposal a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’
The Caesars Palace Times Square proposal involves a joint bid from three entities.
- SL Green, which identifies as “NYC’s largest commercial landlord”
- Caesars Entertainment, a worldwide leader in gambling and hospitality
- Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by the famous New York City rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z.
The unions’ letter mentioned Caesars’ and SL Green’s strong history of working with labor unions and said the companies had already made agreements with local unions. It cited numerous benefits Caesars Palace Times Square would provide, including:
- Jobs
- Attracting an estimated 10 million-plus visitors
- Tourists supporting other local hotels, restaurants and retail outlets
- Serving as a catalyst for more local economic development
According to the unions’ letter, the investors will commit hundreds of millions to neighborhood improvement projects, including traffic flow, sanitation and security. It called the proposal “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the beating heart of New York City’s commercial and entertainment sectors” and urged its addressed officials to support the project.
Wide range of unions give their endorsements
In addition to the recent letter, two major unions representing Broadway employees approve the project, Actors Equity Association and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802. So does the Coalition for a better Times Square.
Of course, the project has its share of detractors, too.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, a union representing many Broadway theater workers, and the No Times Square Casino Coalition oppose Caesars Palace Times Square. The National Organization for Women NYC (NOW NYC), New York Post and many locals stand against the project, too.
The labor unions that recently signed on to a support letter span numerous industries and territories, from local unions to international ones, including:
- Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union No. 1
- Building Material Teamsters Local 282
- Cement & Concrete Workers District Council #16
- Cement Masons’ Local 780
- District Council 9
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- International Union of Elevator Constructors Local One
- Local 12 Heat and Frost Insulators of New York City & Long Island
- Local Union No. 3
- Mason Tenders’ District Council
- New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters
- Painters and Allied Trades International Union
- Plasterers’ Local 262
- Plumbers Local 1
- Roofers Local Union No. 8
- Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local Unions 28 and 137
- Steamfitters Local 638
- Tile, Marble & Terrazzo BAC Local Union No. 7 of New York & New Jersey
- United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the US & Canada
