Seventeen major trade unions, including cement masons, steamfitters, and building material workers, have endorsed a proposed casino in Manhattan’s Times Square, backing a bid by SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
Still, the plan faces opposition from theater industry unions and local residents concerned about its potential negative impact on the area’s character and traffic.
Trade unions want green light
Almost a dozen bidders are requesting consideration for one of three downstate casino licenses. However, it is the partnership between Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, leading gambling operator Caesars Entertainment, and Manhattan's largest commercial landlord SL Green, that has received public support from the city’s trade unions.
The unions sent a joint letter to three Manhattan borough leaders on Monday endorsing the project and praising the work of the companies involved.
“Both SL Green and Caesars have a proud history of working collaboratively with organized labor. Their proposed venture in Times Square will be no different,” the unions wrote, as reported by amNY.
“They have executed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a project labor agreement with BCTC, a neutrality agreement with HTC and agreements of support from Mason Tenders – Locals 79-78-66-108-1261, the Freelancers Union and the NYC District of Carpenters.”
The Caesars-Roc Nation project proposes redeveloping a property on 1515 Broadway, constructing 250,000 square feet of gaming space, a 950-room hotel tower, and a dining space. The project would create around 6,000 jobs for local workers.
“I believe that our reputation speaks for itself,” says Ed Pinnich, SL Green’s COO. “With Caesars Palace as our partner, I think that the proposal is that much more encouraging to make sure that the surrounding hotels, bars and restaurants and entertainment venues understand that we’re coming in to increase hotel space, increase to millions of more meals and not just at 1515 Broadway where we’d have the casino but the adjacent retail locations.”
The proposed Times Square lot does not require re-zoning, unlike similar projects in Queens and the Bronx.
Theater unions still in opposition
At the same time, the project continues to face opposition from other neighborhood unions, such as the Broadway League and the International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees (IATSE).
While the trade union cites the job creation opportunities the project presents, the theater unions claim that creating a casino in such proximity to the Broadway district would drive patrons away from theater performances and into the casino. Several local bars and restaurants have also joined the IATSE with fears that the project would stop tourists visiting local dining establishments, preferring the convenience of the chain restaurants within the casino.
A survey released in July by the No Times Square Casino Coalition reported that 71% of registered voters residing in or nearby Times Square opposed the construction of a new casino. Both businesses and local residents also cite a detrimental impact on the already problematic traffic flow.
However, some theatrical unions support the bid. The Actors’ Equity Association and Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians have expressed their support of the project.
