Trade unions say “yes” to Times Square casino
In what is becoming a trend around downstate casino bids, the trade unions – for which jobs will be created – support a new build. Earlier this year, trade unions in Queens said they are all-in for a casino project near CitiField.
The proposed Times Square casino and CitiField casino are among 11 bids for three downstate casino licences. The licences will be awarded in 2025.
In New York City, Caesars Entertainment is partnering with developer SL Green and Roc Nation to redevelop an office building at 1515 Broadway. The location is in the heart of Times Square. There are at least a half a dozen theatres a block or less away.
“I believe that our reputation speaks for itself,” Ed Pinnich, chief operations officer for SL Green told amNY Monday. “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.”
Developers, landlords also in support
Pinnich said construction of the Times Square casino would create 6,000 jobs. The proposal includes 250,000 square feet of gaming space, a 950-room hotel tower and restaurant space. The building currently houses the theatre that is home to the long-running “Lion King” which would be incorporated into the project.
The unions, which include those representing building material workers, cement masons, and steamfitters, are the latest to throw their support behind the project. The Caesars-Roc Nation project still faces opposition from neighbourhood groups, including one theatre union and the Broadway League. But key real estate developer and landlord groups, including One Times Square and the SoHo Group are in support.
According to amNY, the unions sent a letter on Monday (12 August) to three Manhattan borough leaders.
“Both SL Green and Caesars have a proud history of working collaboratively with organised labour,” they wrote. “Their proposed venture in Times Square will be no different. They have executed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a project labour 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.”
Unlike proposed projects in the Bronx and Queens, the Times Square casino project doesn’t require re-zoning. But all projects appear to need some level of local approval before the New York State Gaming Commission considers them.
Idea to speed up timeline slows down
Politicians had been hoping to open the bid window as early as last month. Senator Joe Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow in May filed legislation to open the bid window this summer. The bills did not get any traction and Governor Kathy Hochul reportedly has not lent her support. The deadline in the bills was extended to the end of August. But with just over two weeks left in the month, the timing no longer lines up.
The bills would have required that bids be submitted earlier than initially planned. However, the bills would not have changed the timeline for awarding licences. Applications are due to the New York Gaming Facility Licensing Board by 27 June 2025. The gaming commission has plans to award licences by 1 December 2025 and issue them by 31 December 2025.