Steve Cohen Asking For Fans’ Input On Future Project

It is no secret that Steve Cohen has made such a large impact over the two-plus years as the owner of the New York Mets. Notably, he had spent billions of dollars in ensuring the product on the field is as strong as possible. Well, now he is turning his focus off of the field. Namely, on the surrounding area of Citi Field.

It is well known the area surrounding Citi Field is wasteful and unpleasant. There is tons of empty space just waiting to be inhabited. If you’ve never been to the ballpark, a simple search on Google Earth will show you just that.

To echo just how much room for opportunity there is, Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce explained the following, “Those 45 or 50 acres, whatever that parking lot consists of, truly is wasted and underutilized space.”

Well, to get the ball rolling, billionaire Steve Cohen hosted what is being described as a ‘visioning session’ on Saturday. He welcomed the surrounding public, Mets’ fans abound, and community leaders – including the likes of the aforementioned Tom Grech – to discuss and make their voices heard on potential projects concerning the surrounding areas of Citi Field.

At the event, Cohen posed the question, “How do we connect it to the waterfront and how do we create parkland and opportunities for people to come down and have a good time after the game and before the game?”

Well, given what was discussed at the ‘visioning session,’ the options seem limitless. Of the potential additions, one of the most common is a casino. Reportedly, the state of New York is going to start accepting proposals for three downstate casinos. Could one be coming to Queens?

Other mentioned enhancements are shopping centers,  high-end restaurants, ferry services across the river, green spaces, bike paths, among others. The options are really limitless, and in adding, would not only make Citi Field and it’s surrounding area one big attraction, but also bring countless jobs and help further stimulate the surrounding economy.

As has been well documented, the reign of Steve Cohen as Mets’ owner has been nothing short of spectacular. Not only has he made the team on the field a contending product, but he’s continuing to address areas not on the field as well.

From the Tom Seaver statue, or the surprise retirement of Willie May’s number, to the new scoreboards and the pavilion coming to right field, the off-of-the-field enhancements and recognition of Mets’ greats have been terrific. Now, add a potential whole re-design of an area around Citi Field that desperately needs it, Cohen is cementing himself as the best owner in all of sports.