Posted on: December 4, 2024, 09:39h.
Last updated on: December 4, 2024, 10:07h.
The largest teachers union in New York City is opposed to an effort to bring a $4 billion integrated resort casino to Times Square.
On Wednesday, Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, a union representing nearly 200K educators, school-related professionals, childcare providers, nurses, and adult education instructors, said his organization adamantly opposes bringing Las Vegas to the Crossroads of the World.
A casino would undermine the Theater District and dilute the distinctive power of Broadway, an industry that offers unique educational and career opportunities for our students,” Mulgrew told The New York Post. “Broadway is an educational goldmine for the children of our city, and it needs to be protected.”
Times Square is located in the heart of Manhattan at the junction of Broadway, 7th Ave., and 42nd St. The roughly five-block area running from 42nd St. to 47th St. is a hub for the Theater District and draws an estimated 50 million visitors annually.
No Place for Gambling
Mulgrew says a casino isn’t appropriate for Times Square as there are six public schools within walking distance of where Caesars Entertainment and NYC real estate giant SL Green have proposed converting 1515 Broadway — the longtime home of Viacom/CBS, MTV Networks, and Nickelodeon — into a resort casino. One Astor Plaza is additionally home to the Minskoff Theater where “The Lion King” has been performed since 2006.
Though Times Square is home to several slightly seedy “attractions,” including the Naked Cowboy, Mulgrew believes the tourist and entertainment destination should remain free of a casino.
“Put the casino somewhere else,” Mulgrew declared.
Mulgrew’s teachers union is the latest group to oppose the Caesars Palace proposal.
The No Times Square Casino Coalition has the support of 25 neighborhood associations, alliances, coalitions, churches, and businesses. The coalition’s members include the Broadway League, the Hell’s Kitchen Block Association, Sardi’s, Manhattan Plaza Tenants Association, 54 Below, the American Bus Association, and the National Organization for Women in New York City.
Caesars Support
A spokesperson for the Caesars scheme in Times Square told The Post that the resort will only help the theater district and surrounding businesses. The development group is also committed to integrating into the neighborhood as a net-positive attraction.
Bringing a world-class entertainment destination to Times Square will actually grow the audience for Broadway shows, and we will provide tens of millions of dollars in Broadway tickets to New York City students and educational programs as part of a successful bid,” the Caesars rep explained. “The unions representing Broadway actors and musicians support our bid precisely because we will benefit the theater community and Times Square.”
Among the 17 labor unions that do support the Caesars undertaking are the Actors Equity Association and the American Federation of Musicians. The resort bid also has the backing of numerous construction groups.
The Caesars project is just one of many casino pitches for New York’s downstate. The state’s Gaming Facility Location Board is slated to pick the three winners by the end of next year.
Other companies prepping submissions include MGM Resorts, Genting, Hard Rock International, Las Vegas Sands, Mohegan, Wynn Resorts, and Bally’s.
