SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation have put forward a proposal for a new gaming and entertainment destination New York. The New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (NYSLRBLA) announced its support for the proposed project, planned for 1515 Broadway in the center of Times Square.
The proposed facility would take up eight floors in the existing 54-story tower and include 250,000 square feet of gaming space alongside 950 hotel rooms, entertainment and restaurant space.
Jeff Garcia, President of the NYSLRBLA, said, “Times Square is the right place for New York’s next gaming destination, hands down. It’s great not only for the Times Square area but for the city as a whole. We believe the increased tourism is going to directly benefit small, minority-owned businesses across the five boroughs.”
The NYSLRBLA is one of the largest businesses of its kind and represents Hispanic and minority businesses in the food and beverage industry. With over 350 restaurant members to date, the organization ranges from individual Latino business owners, to larger gourmet restaurants, to lounges and bars across the tri-state area.
SL Green, Caesars, and Roc Nation said in a joint statement, “The NYSLRBLA is among the most trusted and influential groups within New York City’s food and beverage industry. The NYSLRBLA’s support for a gaming destination in Times Square is a testament to the broad, city-wide impact of our proposal.”
The NYSLRBLA is also the latest industry group to join the Coalition for a Better Times Square, a group of businesses, labor unions and community organizations across the city advocating for a new gaming facility in Times Square.
Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton and Times Square organizations have also worked with SL Green and Caesars Palace to decide that part of the gaming revenue will go toward added security, sanitation, and traffic investments for those in and around Times Square.
