Mets owner Steve Cohen’s dream to build a casino and entertainment complex dubbed “Metropolitan Park” by Citi Field was dealt a serious blow Tuesday when local Queens State Sen. Jessica Ramos announced she would not be backing a key bill needed to make that happen.
“I will not introduce legislation to alienate parkland in Corona for the purposes of a casino,” Ramos said in a statement.
“We want investment and opportunity, we are desperate for green space, and recreation for the whole family. We disagree on the premise that we have to accept a casino in our backyard as the trade-off. I resent the conditions and the generations of neglect that have made many of us so desperate that we would be willing to settle.”
Ramos has been under pressure for a year to back “parkland alienation” legislation that would essentially delist the massive parking lot next to the Mets’ home as parkland, clearing the way for eventual construction.
“While we respect Senator Ramos’s point of view, the state never intended any one person to have the ability to single-handedly stop or approve a gaming project,” Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Rickett said in a statement.
“We have over a year and multiple pathways to secure the required approvals. Our team remains committed to bringing Metropolitan Park to life, with gaming as the only viable economic engine to make the 23,000 jobs, $8 billion investment and substantial community benefits possible.”
Cohen has teamed up with entertainment giant Hard Rock for the $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal. Aside from a casino it would also include a hotel, live music venue, restaurants and 20 acres of public park space.
Ahead of the Albany legislative session ending next month, Ramos said she has drafted an alternative bill that “strikes a balance,” with “more than double the proposed open green space.” The development team could still build a convention center and hotel — but not the casino.
“Mr. Cohen and Hard Rock would still make a profit, albeit less,” Ramos said.
But several other prominent Queens politicians are already onboard with the casino project. One of those is Borough President Donovan Richards, who expressed his dismay at Ramos’s decision.
“Queens is growing like never before, and we must never turn our back on unprecedented economic development opportunities for communities that have historically been left behind,” he said in a statement.
“No one single elected official should be the sole arbiter of this $8 billion investment in our borough, so I strongly urge Governor Hochul and the State Senate to explore other avenues in order to bring the Metropolitan Park proposal to life and ensure that Queens continues to get the money we are owed and deserve.”
Richards, local Councilman Francisco Moya and Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry wrote Ramos a letter last week urging her to support the parkland alienation measure, a version of which Aubry already introduced. All four are members of the local Community Advisory Committee which, along with representatives from the mayor and governor, would be charged with approving Cohen’s casino application.
But Ramos’s decision doesn’t mean the game is over. Those behind the pitch have hinted that they may pursue other legislative paths to work around the state senator’s opposition.
The drama in Queens is playing out amid the larger contest to bring a casino to New York City, with gaming and real estate behemoths battling it out to secure one of three gaming licenses on offer from the state.
There are currently about 10 in the running, with applications due next year.
