Steve Cohen’s plans for a casino at Flushing Meadows Corona Park hit a major snag Tuesday when a state senator announced that she will not introduce legislation that would allow for the permits needed to move forward with the $8 billion project.
Jessica Ramos, a progressive Democrat who represents the area of Queens that would include the casino, announced her intentions in a New York magazine article. “I’m resentful of him holding our entire community hostage by saying that it’s a casino or nothing,” she told New York magazine. “Why should anybody just get their way like that when it’s a decision that is going to impact millions of people? This is actually public land. Our land.”
Maria Comella, a spokeswoman for the project, said Cohen and his partner Hard Rock International, respect Ramos’ position, but want the plan to move forward. Aside from the casino, the project includes 25 acres of park space, a food hall and improvements to the local subway station.
“The state never intended for any one person to have the ability to single-handedly stop or approve a gaming project,” Comella said in a statement. “We are confident that we have the best project in the best location.”
The proposed casino is one of at least 11 that are expected to be submitted to the state for approval over the next 18 months. As many as three licenses may be granted for casinos in the New York City area.
Ramos, who is considering running for New York City mayor, released a statement after the New York magazine article was published.
“I will not introduce legislation to alienate parkland in Corona for the purposes of a casino. Whether people rallied for or against Metropolitan Park, I heard the same dreams for Corona. 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 drafted an alternative proposal that would still allow for Cohen and Hard Rock to build a convention center and hotel that she said “would still make a profit, albeit less.”
“Mr. Cohen and his team have often declared their love for our community and said they recognize our potential. Finding a path forward would be a good way to show it.”
One way for the Mets owner to go around Ramos’ opposition would be to get someone else in the state Legislature to put forth the necessary legislation, but that is considered unlikely. It is customary for local lawmakers to have the power to introduce bills on issues that affect their district.
Metropolitan Park issues the following statement on Senator Ramos’s decision: “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. As Metropolitan Park enjoys overwhelming support from elected officials, unions, and the local community we are confident that we have the best project in the best location. 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.”
