Mets owner Steve Cohen's dream of building a casino near Citi Field is one step closer to becoming reality.
In a narrow decision, a New York state Senate committee voted 4-3 to advance Senate Bill 7121A, which would change the designation of the parking lots around the stadium from parkland to commercial land.
This legislation would allow Cohen to put a casino, and more, on the 50-acre parking lot next to the team's stadium. The bill also mentions using some land in Flushing Meadows Corona Park differently.
Why Cohen Needs the Bill To Pass
Cohen thinks Queens is the perfect place to build an entertainment complex called "Metropolitan Park," and reclassifying the parking lots is important for a larger plan to improve the area around Citi Field.
Cohen, along with Hard Rock International, wants to develop a big project that will feature a casino, hotel, 25 acres of green space, playgrounds, a music venue, a transit hub, and a food hall.
Local Opposition and Political Maneuvering
The project has not been without detractors.
Democratic state Senator Jessica Ramos, whose district includes the proposed site, declared her opposition last year. She also stated that she would not sponsor the necessary legislation for the casino project. In New York's political landscape, such a stance usually spells doom for local projects as leadership often follows local officials' guidance on zoning and real estate matters.
However, Queens Senator John Liu has quietly taken a different path. Representing a small part of the proposed area, Liu introduced legislation allowing Cohen to use a portion of state parkland for commercial development. This move has kept the casino project alive, despite local opposition.
The Race for Downstate Casino Licenses in New York Heats Up
Cohen is one of nearly a dozen contenders for three available casino licenses in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.
The competition is fierce, with heavyweights like Caesars Entertainment eyeing a Times Square spot, Ferry Point Park in the Bronx, and a project at Hudson Yards. Existing slot parlors from MGM Resorts International and Genting are already in the mix.
While some potential operators, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Las Vegas Sands, have bowed out of the race, the competition remains stiff for Cohen. Applications for these licenses are due by June 27, and the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board will announce its decisions by December.
What's Next for the Citi Field Casino Rezoning Bill?
The full Senate and Assembly still need to approve the measure, and then Governor Kathy Hochul needs to sign it into law. But typically, bills that pass committee stages gain full approval in the state Senate.
If this bill follows that pattern, it will then move to the Assembly. Should it pass there, it will land on Governor Kathy Hochul's desk for her signature.
The prognosis for Cohen’s project once looked grim, but it continues to gain momentum with each vote.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Albany to see if Cohen's project secures the legislative and regulatory green lights needed to proceed.
