Entertainment
A debated plan to change a chunk of land near Citi Field into a casino and entertainment hub worth billions has made big progress, after the New York State Assembly voted in favor.
Cohen’s Casino Plan Highlights Tensions Between Economic Growth and Public Land Use
The bill, which passed with a vote of 138-7, opens the door for Mets owner Steve Cohen‘s Metropolitan Park project, an $8 billion dream to remake about 50 acres of space next to asphalt in Queens. The area now labeled as parkland, needs to be rezoned before anyone can use it for business purposes.
The Assembly’s choice shows new energy for the project, which has faced growing questions and loud pushback since people first heard about it in 2023. Cohen working with Hard Rock International, plans a casino-hotel center with public green areas, cultural spots, and places for fun to breathe new life into the unused land near Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Assemblymember Larinda Hooks, who backed the bill, called the plan a much-needed boost for the economy, reported The New York Post. She pointed out that nearby areas have often been ignored and said the new build would create jobs, bring in money, and add new features to the area. Hooks made it clear that the project was not just about putting up a casino, but about changing a forgotten stretch into a lively place people would want to visit all year round.
Cohen’s Casino Project Faces Senate Hurdle as Key Lawmakers Remain Divided
Despite the bill’s success in the lower chamber, its future now depends on the State Senate, where it faces more opposition. Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents the district where most of the proposed site is located, has not backed the plan. She worries about openness, effects on the community, and the bigger picture of removing parkland protections. Still, she admits that Cohen’s major lobbying and PR push, which cost millions, might overcome objections in the end.
At the same time, State Senator John Liu, who represents a smaller part of the land, put forward a similar bill earlier this year. Unlike Ramos, Liu seems open to the development, and his bill is moving through Senate committees. This sets up a possible clash later in the session.
As Cohen’s plan gains ground, other casino proposals have lost steam. In particular, Las Vegas Sands pulled out of its $4 billion project near the Nassau Coliseum.
In other areas, developers like the Soloviev Group have resorted to unusual strategies such as giving stock options to locals, hoping to get community backing. Now that the Assembly hurdle is cleared, all attention shifts to the Senate, where the result could decide if Cohen’s big Metropolitan Park dream comes to life or stays just an idea on paper.
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Silvia Pavlof