Another notable name has come out in support of the proposed Caesars Palace Times Square Casino: Tony Award-winning producer and actor Wendell Pierce. The industry veteran has announced that he is partnering with the casino to launch the New York Coalition of Legacy Theatres of Color Fund, to support the NYC theatres that serve communities of color. Caesars Palace has committed to investing $10 million in the fund.
“As an artist and advocate, I believe that the social justice movement of the 21st century is economic development and creating opportunities that sustain and uplift our communities—both on stage and beyond,” said Pierce in a statement. “Caesars Palace Times Square is a formidable investment, creating access and opportunity, with a profound creation of jobs in the greatest cultural economy of the world. This project will not only be transformative for our creative Broadway community but for the broader labor force as well. I fully endorse this project and recognize this is a powerful step toward ensuring that cultural groups of color are not just included but are leaders in shaping the future of Times Square — with a commitment to workforce inclusion, community partnership, and artistic vibrancy for all.”
The new fund will support theatres of color and provide direct investments to boost production, marketing, and awareness of New York’s legacy theatres of color—like the Billie Holiday Theatre, the New Heritage Theatre Group, the Black Spectrum Theatre, and The Negro Ensemble Company.
Caesars Palace Times Square—a joint venture between SL Green Realty, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation—is partnered on a bid to win one of three new gaming licenses. It plans to convert the existing office building at 1515 Broadway, a 54-story office building which houses the Minskoff Theatre (home of The Lion King) on its third floor, into a large-scale casino, a Broadway theatre, and a hotel. Real estate developer S.L. Green has filed the official application for the project with the New York State Gaming Commission, which will make a decision by the end of the year. It is part of the State's plan to have three new casinos built somewhere in the five boroughs of New York City and Yonkers; eight casinos have submitted applications.
This latest announcement is part of Caesars Palace's efforts to garner support from the theatre community. It previously announced a partnership with Actors' Equity Association and American Federation of Musicians Local 802 to host monthly job fairs for those union members, for jobs in the casino that offer flexibility for performers. It is also promising childcare for performers and stage crews, student and medical debt relief and rental assistance, and $20 million towards Broadway theatre tickets for disadvantaged families.
Despite this support, the casino faces opposition from other parts of Broadway, including the Broadway League, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, stage workers union IATSE, and The Shubert Organization. Those opposing the development have expressed concern that, in an already overwhelmingly crowded 10-block radius, the casino would increase street crowding, traffic, and potentially crime, and also weaken New York City's tax base.
