Trade Unions Line Up To Lobby In Support Of Times Square Casino

Hoping to have a say in the future of New York City’s entertainment landscape, 17 trade unions are voicing their support for a full-service casino in Times Square. The unions, which include steamfitters, cement masons, and building material workers, would be the primary beneficiaries of the casino’s construction.

AM NY reported that the unions announced on Monday that they had sent a letter to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Tony Simone, and Council Member Erik Bottcher. In it, they expressed their backing for a proposal by SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation to convert an existing office building at 1515 Broadway into a Vegas-style casino.

The unions’ support is a crucial endorsement for the project, which aims to transform the 54-story office building into a bustling entertainment hub. The proposed casino would be a significant addition to Times Square, one of the most iconic and visited tourist locations in the world. The project is part of a broader effort to secure one of the three available casino licenses in the New York City metro area, a highly competitive process that has attracted interest from numerous developers.

The proposal and its backers

The proposal to bring a casino to Times Square is spearheaded by a partnership between SL Green, a prominent real estate investment trust; Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation, the entertainment agency founded by Jay-Z. The collaboration aims to create a world-class gaming and entertainment destination that would attract millions of visitors annually.

The proposed casino at 1515 Broadway would occupy the top eight floors of the building, which is currently home to Viacom/MTV Networks and Disney’s “Lion King” musical production. The plan includes a variety of amenities, such as gaming areas, entertainment venues, shopping, a spa, and convention and meeting spaces. The developers believe that the casino would not only enhance the appeal of Times Square but also provide significant economic benefits to the surrounding community.

The support from the 17 trade unions is a testament to the project’s potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. In their letter to the elected officials, the unions highlighted the developers’ history of working collaboratively with organized labor. They emphasized that the project would generate thousands of union construction jobs and provide long-term employment opportunities for local residents.

Ed Piccinich, Chief Operations Officer of SL Green, stated that the project would include 6,000 union construction jobs. He also noted that the developers are committed to building as of right, meaning they are not seeking rezoning for the project. This approach is expected to streamline the approval process and expedite the project’s completion.

The Licensing Process

The casino licensing process in New York is a rigorous and multi-stage procedure overseen by the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board. Currently, all metro-area casino bidders are in the early stages of this process, which includes an extensive series of approvals.

The process is designed to ensure that all proposals meet the necessary legal and regulatory requirements. It will also ensure that the selected projects provide maximum benefits to the state and local communities.

According to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board, applications for the casino licenses are due by June 27, 2025. Following the submission of applications, Community Advisory Committees (CACs) will be formed to review and vote on the proposals.

The CACs must complete their evaluations by September 30, 2025. Despite legislative efforts to expedite the process, the board is expected to make its final decisions by December 1, 2025, with the New York State Gaming Commission issuing the licenses by December 31, 2025.

Looking Ahead

While the support from the trade unions is a significant boost for the Times Square casino bid, the project still faces several hurdles. The licensing process will extend well into 2025, and the final approvals are not expected until 2026.

Additionally, the proposal has encountered opposition from some local groups, including members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union. They have joined the No Times Square Coalition to oppose the project.

Despite these challenges, the partnership between SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation remains optimistic about the project’s prospects. They believe that the casino would bring substantial economic benefits to Times Square and the broader New York City area, including increased tourism, job creation, and enhanced local amenities.