Jackpot in Queens: Lawmaker Deal Gives Steve Cohen’s $8B Citi Field Casino Dream a Winning Hand

By: Hellen Zaboulani

Billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen got good news regarding his New York City casino bid. As reported by the NY Post, State Sen.John Liu said he would push legislation to legally convert the lots around Citi Field, which are currently zoned as parkland, to commercial use. Liu made the announcement on Sunday, giving Cohen’s casino bid a chance to win one of three highly lucrative downstate casino licenses. Cohen owns the land near Citi Field and has proposed to build an $8 billion casino, hotel, shopping, entertainment and park complex to be named Metropolitan Park complex—which would span roughly 50 acres on undeveloped land currently being used as a parking lot. The proposal, however, was one of the few that needed local legislation or zoning changes before it could even be considered by the state Gaming Commission, which is slated to make a decision by the end of December.

“The Flushing community has long aspired to have greater access to our waterfront and the other side of Flushing Creek,” said Liu, a Democrat whose northeastern Queens district borders the site of the casino complex. Cohen’s bid, in partnership with Hard Rock International, has agreed to help secure approvals and develop Flushing Skypark, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge which would connect downtown Flushing to the neighborhood across the Flushing Creek. “The Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard bridges cater to vehicular traffic but deter pedestrians and cyclists,” Liu added. “The new Flushing Skypark will greatly enhance recreational and transportation options, and I am heartened by the sincere commitment of Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International to making it happen.”

Per the Post, Cohen’s team has agreed to secure all the public and private funding needed for the Flushing Skypark, which would connect downtown Flushing from 39th Avenue and College Point Boulevard to Willets Point. Cohen-Hard Rock has also committed to pouring $100 million for capital improvements towards the infrastructure of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Liu lauded the undertaking, which he said would greatly benefit Queens residents. “In the spirit of collaboration I will introduce legislation to create a pathway that makes these community benefits possible,” said Liu.

In turn, Cohen praised Liu for his support, calling him a “champion of infrastructure.” “As an organization based in Willets Point, we shared the community’s concerns around connectivity, and recognized that the Skypark would be a great way to bring Queens together,” Cohen said. “Metropolitan Park is committed to working to make Flushing Skypark a reality. And if for any reason we cannot, then we will still follow through on our commitment to the community by dedicating $100 million to the betterment of Flushing Meadows Corona Park.”

Per the Post, Cohen’s proposed Queens casino has also garnered support from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks, Councilman Francisco Moya, and even the local community boards. However, state Sen. Jessica Ramos, whose district actually includes the Flushing Meadows-Corona casino site, continues to oppose the plan. She has refused to advance the bill in the last two legislative sessions, and it isn’t clear if the state Senate will pass Liu’s bill despite her objections. Usually, the senate defers to the local legislator when deliberating on a project important to his or her district.