Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The next big addition to Queens might not be a baseball superstar. New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is trying to bring a casino next to Citi Field says the New York Post.
Last week it was announced by city officials that a $780 million mixed-used development project, including a new stadium for the New York City Football Club, a hotel, and 2,500 units of affordable housing is coming to the area.
Cohen has reportedly shelled out a substantial amount to local officials and lobbyists to make this casino plan happen. Cohen is currently working with Hard Rock hotels and casinos as a partner in the gambling venture.
Cohen has competition for the plan. Related Companies, who partnered with former Mets owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon on the Willets Point mega-development, partnered with Wynn Resorts to bring a casino to the undeveloped western portion of Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
Cohen’s newest venture is called “New Green Willets.” He has paid $334,854 to outside lobbyists trying to secure support for the casino.
Cohen has participated in meet-and-greets with New York City mayor Eric Adams. He’s also made substantial donations to Super PACs supporting the mayor. He’s also made sizable donations to the campaign of Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Democratic Party Campaign Committee and the state Democratic Assembly Committee.
The Mets owner’s other obstacle for his casino is where to put it. He has discussed placing it in one of Citi Field’s parking lots but that area is technically designated as “parkland” and he’ll need to get that removed. A multi-level parking garage would be built to replace existing spots lost through the proposal.
Cohen still needs to win the final remaining bid, with the other two expected to go to the Aqueduct and Yonkers race tracks. But he has set in motion a plan to redevelop the area surrounding Citi Field, one of his main goals when he was introduced as owner two years ago.
