JAY-Z’s entertainment company Roc Nation has penned an open letter about their plan to build a casino in New York City’s tourist destination, Times Square.
The full page letter, which was placed in the New York Post, New York Daily News and Amsterdam News on Thursday (May 11), states the plan is to “enhance the lives of everyday New Yorkers.” The company is currently competing with four other billionaires including New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, Soloviev Group chairman Stefan Soloviev and CEO of Gristedes Food John Catsimatidis.
“The winning group must have a track record of turning words into deeds—of putting New York City and its residents first—people of all races, religions, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and socio-economic statuses,” the letter reads. “New Yorkers in every corner of every borough – all of us. The winning organization must have a history of campaigning for fair hiring, representation, and reform. Hate, as well as groups that have a history of oppressing the most vulnerable, have no place in New York.”
In December of last year, JAY-Z partnered with SL Green and Caesar Entertainment for their bid to open Caesars Palace Times Square, which would be NYC’s first full-scale casino in the Times Square area. “Caesars Palace Times Square will benefit all of New York—the hotel and restaurant workers in the area, retailers, and surrounding neighborhoods. Our bid commits $115 million for diverse theater programs that include daycare for Broadway workers and their families,” Roc Nation’s letter continues.
You can read the full letter below: