Broadway, unions and real estate bigs battle over NYC casino proposals as deadline to submit bids approaches
Mega-developers are vying for the chance to build the Big Apple's first casino as Friday's bidding deadline approaches — and everyone from Broadway aficionados to union workers has an opinion.
Both supporters and opponents of some of the eight different proposals for a downstate casino held rallies across the city Thursday ahead of the deadline to submit their bids.
Hundreds of Local79 union members rallied in Times Square alongside local businesses in support of a Caesar's Palace proposed by rapper Jay Z's RocNation and developer SL Green, which has vowed to work with union construction.
3 NYC developers are eyeing the chance to have the first casino built in the heart of Times Square as the bidding deadline nears.
Hannah Fierick
'The developer has a track record of working with Union Laborers,' said Local79 member Noel Holliday.
'That's why we need this project.'
But the renderings have drawn pushback from the Broadway community just a stone's throw away.
3 Supporters and opponents of the proposed casino held rallies across the Big Apple on Thursday.
SL Green Reality
'We don't need a casino to bring this neighborhood back. A casino in the heart of Times Square would only set this area back,' said Jason Laks, President of the Broadway League, at a separate rally against the project.
At a swanky office in Midtown, developer Soloviev's CEO Michael Hershman touted renderings for 'Freedom Plaza,' a massive metropolis to be built on an empty lot in Kip's Bay along the East River in partnership with Mohegan Casinos — that he said would also bring union jobs.
The complex 'will uniquely deliver what New Yorkers need most. Accessible green space, housing that working families can afford, and well-paying union jobs,' Hershman said.
3 Local79 union members, along with local businesses, gathered in Times Square in support of the planned Caesar's Palace casino proposed by RocNation and SL Green.
Billy Tompkins/ZUMA / SplashNews.com
Freedom Plaza would boast two residential towers with over 1,000 apartments — almost half of which would be affordable housing — along with a museum and a sprawling public park, with the casino underground.
But laborers pointed out that the area sits close to a public school and residential neighborhoods.
'You're going to build affordable housing next to casinos, schools next to casinos, I don't know about you but I don't want my sons and daughters going to school next to a casino,' said Mike Hellstrom, vice president and regional manager of Local79.
Both proposals include surrounding community donation funds of around $250 million.
Three casino licenses are up for grabs, with the state Gaming Facility Location Board set to announce its final decision on December 1.
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