Any New Yorker who has been to Citi Field to take in a New York Mets game in recent years knows two things: Steve Cohen took a big gamble when buying the team from the Wilpons, and that the area around the stadium is begging for an upgrade.
Recently, for at least one of those points, there's been some considerable momentum thrown behind Cohen's plan to bring new life to Willets Point, with one of the state's most powerful NYC Democrats voicing his support.
Citi Field Casino Gets Major Endorsement As Bill Passes State Senate
The state Assembly passed the first piece of legislation that could pave the way for Steve Cohen's $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field.
The bill, which passed by a vote of 138 to 7, alters the designation of the areas around the ballpark for commercial use.
Initially, those areas were designated as parkland, requiring state legislation before the project could be brought to city officials for approval.
Democratic assemblywoman Larinda Hooks of Queens, who sponsored the bill, praised this project's potential and its potential benefits for the Flushing economy.
“This is the opportunity to bring real investment to our local economy, having the bold vision of turning 50 acres of asphalt into an entity that delivers real benefits.”
Even more powerful was the support of Senate Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, who strongly favored the bill and said, "I support it."
However, while his endorsement carries weight, the "Amazon Slayer" did leave room for opponents of the bill, like Queens Senator Jessica Ramos, to read a different story from his comments.
"I think it’s important to recognize that we’re not picking to put a casino on that site," Gianaris added following a meeting of the Senate Democratic caucus on the bill, "we’re just allowing them to apply with all the other potential candidates."
New York City's Casino Battle Continues to Heat Up
This is not the end of the battle for a casino in the Big Apple. As we've seen in recent weeks, casino developers have been clamoring to get in on the action in the Empire State's biggest city.
The news of the Queens land designation change also comes on the heels of the Wynn Resort-Related Companies partnership withdrawing its bid for a Hudson Yards casino complex, citing community backlash.
Additionally, a proposed casino in Ferry Point Park in the Bronx is still poised to move forward, as is the Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment proposal for a 46-story Midtown West casino complex.
Sure, the ballgame isn't over for the Cohen-Hard Rock International Citi Field casino complex, but we're clearly heading towards the seventh inning stretch. Perhaps some late-inning Mets magic can get their owner across the finish line in Flushing.
