New York Senator Throws Backing Behind Citi Field Casino Bid

Mets owner Steve Cohen’s plan to build an $8 billion casino complex next to Citi Field received a big boost. A Queens lawmaker is now backing the legislation, giving it some extra legitimacy.

However New York State Sen. John Liu introduced a bill to redesignate the parking lots around the stadium for commercial use. It’s a necessary step for regulators to give Cohen the license, and ultimately for developers to break ground on the project.

“Because the parking lot is legally parkland, they require state legislation that would allow a gaming facility to be built on that parkland in order to proceed with their application to the state gaming,” Liu said at the bill introduction.

Cohen’s aspirations of a casino adjacent to Citi Field was in the works since 2023, the state announced they were awarding three gaming licenses for downstate casinos. The billionaire put forth several proposals for one over the last two years.

Cohen hopes he can use the Flushing Skypark project to propel his bid to the top of the heap. The project intends to build a Manhattan High Line-inspired pedestrian and bike bridge from Downtown Flushing to Citi Field.

This would of course, be a great benefit to a potential casino in between the destinations. Additionally, the land is more likely to be redesignated since the state is already planning construction.

But it’s all still up in the air as Empire State regulators have yet to choose the downstate license recipients. The two racinos, owned by Genting and MGM Resorts, in Queens and Yonkers are likely to snatch up two of those licenses, leaving several bidders for the final one.

Uncertainty hasn’t slowed down Cohen. He released renderings of the casino project last September and continued to lobby for the casino in March. Cohen partnered with the Seminole Tribe, under their Hard Rock International corporate umbrella, for his proposal dubbed Metropolitan Park.

This would be the tribe’s first footprint in the Empire State.

Liu’s proposal must pass the assembly and state before getting signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The proposal also faces stiff opposition.

Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the district the casino would call home, opposed the idea from the start. She told the New York Post that her constituents oppose the project.

This bid and any other casino bid must submit their applications to the sitting local boards by June 27. The state gaming commission will award up to three casino licenses by the end of December.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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