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Community Rallies in Massive Show of Support for Caesars Palace Times Square

via Business Wire

Local residents, small business owners, labor unions, Broadway workers, elected officials and community leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, fill Duffy Square to fight for project that includes enormous investment in jobs and $250 million in public benefits

***Photos and video HERE***

A coalition of local residents, small business owners, Broadway workers, labor unions, community leaders, elected officials, hotels and iconic entertainment venues filled Duffy Square in an overwhelming illustration of community support for Caesars Palace Times Square—the proposal for a world-class gaming and entertainment destination from SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation.

The boisterous rally of over 1,000 people is the culmination of four years of community outreach and engagement, including hundreds of meetings with a diverse array of residents, businesses and community organizations. The final proposal that will be submitted tomorrow to the State of New York reflects the input and priorities shared across hundreds of hours of presentations and listening sessions, and is designed to uniquely benefit the surrounding community and all of New York City.

Caesars Palace Times Square is the only gaming proposal designed the New York way. The proposal would re-imagine an existing office building at 1515 Broadway, located in the heart of New York City’s iconic entertainment district, and will be intentionally designed with a limited number of restaurants and hotel rooms to generate business for dozens of existing establishments in surrounding neighborhoods. The coalition supporting the bid now includes more than 200 organizations and businesses including local restaurants, retailers, hotels, residents, unions and Broadway stakeholders who stand to benefit from—rather than compete with—this exciting new project.

In addition to those economic benefits, Caesars Palace Times Square is committing to $250 million directly to community projects. That will include a transformative, $80 million public safety plan for the surrounding neighborhood designed by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton. It also includes $20 million towards Broadway theater tickets for disadvantaged families and $5 million to support the Callen-Lorde Center for Excellence in Sexual Health planned programming in Hell’s Kitchen. Members of the community will be able to invest directly in the project as part of a partnership with Reverend Al Sharpton and Ryan Williams, founder of Cadre, that will provide investment opportunities starting at $500.

The rally included inspiring remarks from Reverend Al Sharpton, the legendary civil rights leader, who said:

“Caesars Palace Times Square isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about empowerment,” said Reverend Al Sharpton. “This project is setting a historic new precedent by giving everyday New Yorkers, especially those from historically excluded communities, the chance to invest in and benefit from the future of this city. It’s a seat at the table in folks’ own neighborhood.”

In addition to Rev. Sharpton, speakers included representatives from:

  • Construction unions who will benefit from a projected 3,000 union construction jobs, including LIUNA/Mason Tenders/Local 79
  • Theater unions representing Broadway actors and musicians, including Actors Equity and Local 802 - American Federation of Musicians
  • Hospitality unions including 32BJ SEIU and Hotel Trades & Gaming Council
  • Small business owners and leaders who will benefit from a surge in economic demand and foot traffic from the project and access to 60 million Caesars Rewards members for the first time.
  • Local residents and community leaders from around Hell’s Kitchen who support community investments in their quality of life such as upgraded security measures, sanitation improvements, and a new tree planting program.
  • The hotel industry, which stands to benefit from new demand for rooms at their midtown properties as a result of Caesars Palace Times Square.
  • Elected officials including Assembly Member Jordan Wright.

"I am proud to support Caesars Palace Times Square because I understand how it will benefit New Yorkers across the city and create opportunity for all of our communities," said Assembly Member Jordan Wright. "My constituents wake up every day facing an affordability crisis that threatens to push them out of the city they've called home for generations. This project will face that crisis head-on – it's a lifeline for working-class New Yorkers that will provide thousands of good-paying union jobs and bring in new revenue and long-term economic stability for working people – not just in Midtown, but in every borough."

“For the largest local union of musicians in the world and others, the choice is clear: it's Caesars Palace Times Square,” said Harvey Mars, Recording Vice President of Local 802 AFM. “There is no Times Square without a thriving Broadway, and this project will not only create desperately needed jobs for our members, but also bring critical benefits like student debt assistance, rental aid, and childcare support – helping artists survive and thrive in New York City. The team behind the project has committed to becoming a true partner to everyone in the live performance community when they win a gaming license including Broadway’s theater owners, producers, stagehands, charitable organizations and the millions who come to Times Square to enjoy our shows, and that's why we're proud to say yes to Caesars Palace Times Square.”

“The day Caesars Palace Times Square gets the green light is the day we unlock thousands of local, good-paying jobs,” said Dajaire Blunt, proud member of LIUNA. “This project is a once-in-a-generation chance to revitalize one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the world. The hardworking union construction workers support Caesars Palace Times Square and we are ready to get to work.”

“Laborers are the skilled hands and proud hearts that built New York City and we are excited about Caesars Palace Times Square,” said Noel Holliday, member of LIUNA. “The folks behind Caesars Palace Times Square have shown us real respect – with commitments to local hiring, apprenticeship programs, and union labor from start to finish. We are ready to support this project and back that commitment up with real work."

“Caesars Palace Times Square represents more than just a project – it’s an investment in the working people who keep New York running,” said John Santos, Secretary-Treasurer of 32BJ SEIU. “By creating thousands of good-paying union jobs across the trades and service industry, this project offers real careers, real benefits, and real respect for labor. SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation have been at the table with unions from day one, and their commitment to local hiring and union jobs is exactly what New York City needs.”

"As a restaurateur and small business owner, I am proud to support Caesars Palace Times Square because I know it will benefit restaurants across our city and help our industry and communities thrive," said Beatrice Ajaero, Founder and Owner of Nneji. "This project will help drive more customers to restaurants across the city and with the best-in-class Caesars rewards program, they are making it easy for all of us to support each other. This project is a win-win and I am excited to see it support communities from Times Square, to Astoria, and beyond."

“Times Square has always thrived when all of its partners collaborate for the benefit of all,” said Matt Goldman, Executive Director of The Town Hall, a historic, nonprofit venue in Times Square. “This project brings more audiences, more support, and more investment to the existing venues that define this neighborhood. We enthusiastically support Caesar's bid to make the engine of New York City’s economy and culture even stronger and more vibrant.”

"As someone who was born, bred, and buttered in Harlem, a small business owner, and President Emeritus of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, I’m proud to support Caesars Palace Times Square," said Melba Wilson, Founder of Melba’s Restaurants. "As a lifelong New Yorker, I’ve seen firsthand what our city has endured in recent years, and I believe that Caesar’s Palace Times Square will help energize and revitalize the city for the future. This project will spark new tourism and economic activity for restaurants across the five boroughs. Thanks to unmatched access to public transportation, visitors heading to Caesars Palace Times Square can easily make their way around the five boroughs to dine at one of the over 20,000 eateries in the city -- just as the union workers building and working in it can head home with ease after a day’s work."

"On behalf of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and our more than 40 hotels throughout New York City, we are proud to back the Caesars Palace Times Square bid," said Maire Griffin, Senior Vice President of Global Communications at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "As a fellow New Yorker, one thing is clear: Times Square is the epicenter of entertainment in New York City, a global magnet drawing millions of visitors annually, and of all of the casino proposal locations, Times Square makes the most sense as an established hub for tourism. Wyndham’s franchisees look forward to sharing our warm Wyndham welcome with all of the new visitors this facility will attract, and we are more than ready to accommodate these guests making sure they can experience all Times Square has to offer."

“New York City’s hospitality industry is powered by hardworking servers, cooks, bartenders, dishwashers and more who’ve kept this city going through its toughest times. Caesars Palace Times Square is the reward they deserve, and they were proud to show up today,” said Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance. “It will bring new customers, new energy, and most importantly, new jobs to the heart of our hospitality sector. And by bringing powerful Caesars Rewards partnership opportunities to New York restaurants and bars, our local businesses will see the direct benefit of this transformative project.”

“At the New York State Latino Restaurant Association, we are proud to support Caesars Palace Times Square,” said Sandra Jaquez, New York State Latino Restaurant Association. “Our mission is to uplift and empower minority- and immigrant-owned restaurants through partnerships that fuel recovery and long-term growth and we see this project as a partner that will do exactly that. Caesars Palace Times Square will bring new foot traffic, tourism, and economic vitality to the businesses that make this city thrive.”

“Callen-Lorde is proud to support Caesars Palace Times Square because we believe in its commitment to not only the LGBTQ+ community, but communities across New York,” said Donnie Roberts, Executive Vice President for Development and Communications at Callen-Lorde. “This project’s $5 million investment will help us build a new Callen-Lorde Center for Excellence in Sexual Health in Hell’s Kitchen, expanding access to critical services like rapid STI and HIV testing and PrEP. We’re ready to say yes to Caesars Palace Times Square and hit the ground running to provide culturally competent, compassionate care to even more New Yorkers.”

About Caesars Palace Times Square

New York City has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in Times Square and New York City with significant commitments to public security, sanitation, and live performances as well as partnerships with neighboring theaters, restaurants, hotels, and landlords. Caesars Palace Times Square will revitalize and reenergize New York’s economic engine and cultural capital. SL Green Realty, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation are partnered on a bid to win one of three new gaming licenses and convert the existing office building at 1515 Broadway into a world-class gaming and entertainment destination.

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