Mets owner Steve Cohen on Monday joined 100 civic leaders, small and medium-sized businesses in support of his $8 billion Metropolitan Park plan to build a casino complex next to Citi Field. It gained support from business owners and residents. This is a tough strategy to persuade Sen. Jessica from a resisting state. Ramos supports the project.
Cohen, a billionaire, wants Ramos to move a bill in Albany to re-designate parking lots and other land around the Mets’ stadium from parkland to commercial use in order to bid on the project.
Ramos has refused to do so since Cohen made the request more than a year ago, but there are only weeks left in the 2024 legislative session.
In a not-so-subtle move, the pro-casino rally was held at Diversity Park in Jackson Heights, near Ramos’ district office.
Supporters chanted, “We want jobs,” “We deserve good things,” “No more asphalt,” “We want generational wealth,” and “Moms in Metropolitan Park.” He held up his card.
Parishioners of Corona First Baptist Church were among those involved in the casino project, which they said would create employment opportunities and entertainment for nearby Queens residents.
Dwight Young, 25, said the casino project would provide “young men, young people…an opportunity to create generational wealth.”
“As Black people in East Elmhurst, New York, and especially Queens, we haven’t had many opportunities to get a lot of jobs and build generational wealth within our community,” he said.
His mother, Valerie Young, 60, said it’s important that Queens has entertainment options.
“I travel too far to experience it in other districts. We need anything we can do to create sustainability. We deserve it,” she said.
Eddie Ballentine, owner of pioneering LGBTQ bar Friends Tavern, said the casino and entertainment complex is a home run.
“We say we’re going to do this. We’re doing this not just to turn a black tarred, ugly space into something beautiful for the future and for the kids in the neighborhood, but also for the many people who come here. It’s also about bringing people together. Some people are coming for the different concerts, some are coming for the hotels, some are coming for a better Flushing Meadow Park,” Valentin said. .
“Every time I go to a concert, every time I do something, I have to go to the suburbs. Why can’t I take the beautiful No. 7 train and go four stops and find the same thing there? Why do I have to go to Brooklyn? ….Why do I have to go to Nassau County or Suffolk County to go to a concert? Why can’t I do it here?
Asked about Cohen’s squeeze play on his lawn, Ramos said in a text statement, “Steve Cohen is working to win support for a casino, and I want to represent my constituents.” “I’m doing my job in Albany.”
Other Queens officials also support the project.
City Councilman Francisco Moya and Jeffrey Aubrey, who also represent the area surrounding Citi Field, pledged support, as did Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.
“Why would you want to lose $8 billion in your own backyard? That’s ridiculous,” said a Queens political official who requested anonymity to avoid jeopardizing Ramos’ chances of joining the casino team. one person said.
Last November, Mr. Cohen unveiled a sprawling arcade, hotel and music venue near the Mets’ stadium, naming it Metropolitan Park after the team’s official corporate name.
The proposed entertainment complex, which would be operated by Hard Rock International in conjunction with Cohen, would also offer community benefits such as 20 acres of green space and access to Flushing Bay.
Meanwhile, the existing Genting Resort World New York slot parlor near Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens plans to bid for a state license to offer live table games, including an expanded complex with a new 7,000-seat concert hall.
Other casino projects include Bally’s at Ferry Point in the Bronx, a casino project with Hudson Yards affiliates and Wynn Resorts, Silverstein Properties in Hell’s Kitchen, and a So Equity consortium along the Coney Island boardwalk. It includes a gaming complex and the Sands Casino at the Nassau Coliseum hub. in Uniondale.
State regulators are not expected to issue a license until the end of 2025.
