Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International have found important support for their Citi Field casino proposal in the New York Senate. A major obstacle to their downstate casino bid is now out of the way as Sen. John Liu has committed to introducing a bill to make a necessary change to the designation of the parking lots next to Citi Field, allowing them to become Metropolitan Park.
In return, Cohen and Hard Rock have expanded their development commitment to include a pedestrian bridge connecting Flushing and Willets Point.
While Liu’s introduction of such legislation is a step forward for the Metropolitan Park casino project, the bill could still run into opposition in Albany. The most likely opponent may be Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the district Citi Field lies in.
However, even if Liu’s bill passes, that doesn’t guarantee that the Park or the casino will become a reality. That choice will come down to the New York Gaming Facility Location Board.
Liu shares support for Metropolitan Park with new commitments
According to Verónica Del Valle of Gothamist, Liu announced his intention to file the parkland alienation bill affecting the land surrounding Citi Field on Sunday, March 30. The land currently serves as parking for Citi Field.
Cohen and Hard Rock have shared public details of their plans to develop an entertainment complex including a casino adjacent to Citi Field called Metropolitan Park. In pursuit of those designs, Cohen and Hard Rock will seek one of three potentially available licenses to operate a casino in the southern part of New York.
Also on Sunday, Cohen and Hard Rock confirmed the expansion of their designs to include the “Flushing Skypark.” The commitment includes a contract with the Waterfront Alliance to provide funding for development if the casino project does not move forward.
The Flushing Skypark would be a bridge with lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians spanning Flushing Creek to connect downtown Flushing with Willets Point. Del Valle reports that Cohen and Hard Rock have promised to secure all the funding and regulatory approvals for the Flushing Skypark.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has also voiced his support for the expansion of Cohen’s/Hard Rock’s plans per Del Valle. Lui’s proposal will get the political wheels turning in Albany but the final destination of that machination is still in doubt.
Passage of Liu’s bill uncertain
Liu’s legislation represents an essential and significant step, but only an initial update. Cohen and Hard Rock need the support of the full New York legislature and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul before changing the designation of the land around Citi Field.
Under New York law, only the state government can redesignate land with parkland status. Local authorities don’t have that power. That has proven to be a significant hurdle for Cohen and Hard Rock in securing their intended site for Metropolitan Park.
Ramos has stuck to her commitment not to introduce the parkland alienation bill herself, while proposing an alternative site. Her potential opposition to Liu’s bill could carry a good amount of weight as her district includes the land that would be affected while Liu’s district borders the area.
Without a designation change, Cohen and Hard Rock will either have to drop their plans or consider alternate sites. However, time is growing short for such an abrupt change of tack.
Bid submission deadline under 90 days away
Under the current timeline, parties interested in the three licenses that the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSCG) plans to award must submit final bids and pay initial fees by June 27, 2025. If the NYSGC sticks to that timeline, Cohen and Hard Rock have little time to arrange everything necessary to present a competitive bid for an alternative site.
For that reason, not only passage but a quick enactment of Liu’s bill would be a blessing for Cohen and Hard Rock. Delays in the alienation could hurt their chances of getting the necessary gaming license for Metropolitan Park.
