Metropolitan Park Clears Another Hurdle

Updated Post: May 14 at 2:30 PM

Steve Cohen’s plan for Metropolitan Park cleared one more hurdle on Tuesday when the New York State Assembly voted in favor of the proposal. Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks (D-Queens) introduced the bill “to discontinue the use as parkland and alienate certain land within Flushing Meadows Corona Park.” The assembly overwhelmingly (138-7) voted in favor of the bill and moved Cohen closer to getting his $8 billion plan, including a casino near Citi Field.

“This is the opportunity to bring real investment to our local economy, having the bold vision of turning 50 acres of asphalt into an entity that delivers real benefits.” Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks (D-Queen), the bill’s sponsor said before voting.

Next up is a vote in the State Senate, where Senator Jessica Ramos resides, who has opposed the project and previously declined to propose a bill to remove the parkland designation.

Cohen’s bid for a casino received good news last month when the Las Vegas Sands announced they were no longer interested in a New York Casino.

Updated Post: Apr. 29 at 3:00 pm

Once again, Steve Cohen has surpassed another hurdle in his quest for the $8 billion Metropolitan Park at Citi Field.

According to Nacha Cattan of Bloomberg, a New York State Senate committee voted Tuesday to approve a bill allowing Cohen to build on the 50-acre parking lot adjacent to Citi Field. The bill will then go to the Assembly, where it must pass and then move on to NY Governor Kathy Hochul for her signature. It’s important to note there hasn’t been any vocal opposition to Cohen’s plans here.

More importantly, Cattan noted most bills that pass the committee stage eventually get approval in the State Senate. However, Cohen is still one of a dozen applicants vying for three casino licenses. The NY State Gaming Commission only grants up to three casino licenses every year.

Often like the Mets, Cohen has made an Amazin’ comeback in his attempts to build Metropolitan Park. Once thought to be dead after State Senator Jessica Ramos from Queens wouldn’t support the project, State Senator John Liu, another Queens Senator, whose district includes a small portion of where Metropolitan Park would be located, introduced legislation earlier in 2025 to help Cohen’s vision and project.

Original Post: Mar. 31

Steve Cohen has cleared a major obstacle in his Metropolitan Park plans.

According to Jacob Kaye of the Queens Daily Eagle, New York State Senator John Liu announced at an event surrounding the potential Metropolitan Park that he would permit Mets owner Steve Cohen to build a casino on its grounds. Kaye notes Liu is going over fellow State Senator Jessica Ramos in this situation, claiming that the two are close, but it’s clear the constituents want to see the casino happen.

Ramos refused to introduce a bill that would change the designation of the land needed for Metropolitan Park from parkland to commerical use. Liu introduced that bill on Sunday at an event with Steve Cohen. 

Of note, Liu initially opposed Cohen’s plans for the casino. What changed for him was an agreement between Waterfront Alliance (a regional community organization and alliance of over 1,100 organizations, selected by Metropolitan Park due to their advocacy for waterfront access and climate resiliency around the Flushing Meadows Corona Park area) and Cohen, where the Mets owner promised to build a Skypark over Flushing Creek.

It’s unknown who owns the land the bridge and park would be built on (most likely not Cohen), but it connects to a new development at Willets Point, which is land the city owns and leased to former Mets owners. The sky park will be reminiscent of the High Line in the city, spanning from Flushing Creek, and will connect downtown Flushing from 39th Avenue and College Point Boulevard to Willets Point.

However, Nick Garber of Crains New York noted if Cohen doesn’t get the approvals for the casino, plus public and private funding, he will donate $100 million along with his partners (Hard Rock International) to improve Flushing Meadows Park. This is why Liu changed his opinion on the matter, noting the newly formed “ironclad accountability measures.”

Cohen still needs to win the license for the casino, however. There are 11 others who are pitching casinos in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Yonkers and Long Island. The New York State’s Gaming Commission only grants up to three licenses a year, and Resorts World in Jamaica has favorable support from others. Metropolitan Park land use proposals were recently approved by the city council just under two weeks ago (41-2), another favorable step for Cohen and the Mets. For more information regarding that, click here.

Both sides made it clear they want to see the area surrounding Citi Field improve. Now, it’s closer than ever. 

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