Steve Cohen has submitted a plan to the New York City Planning Commission for a new casino to be located next to Citi Field (Image: Alamy)

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen formally submitted his plan for a casino complex adjacent to Citi Field to the New York City Planning Commission on Monday, one of the first official steps in his effort to win one of three downstate New York casino licenses next year.

In concert with that submission, Cohen and partner Hard Rock International have released renderings of the Metropolitan Park development, which would include a music venue, public park space, hotel towers, and more.

Land Use Review Only One Step in Uphill Battle for Cohen

The submission was made to begin the city’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a necessary step to get the city to approve zoning changes that would allow for the development of the 50-acre site. 

The ULURP process will include reviews by the Planning Commission, along with the City Council, local community boards, and the Queens borough president, among others. However, even if all those officials and groups sign off on the project, that still wouldn’t be enough to move forward without state action.

Because the land that Cohen wishes to use is designated as parkland, the state legislature must pass a parkland alienation bill. Traditionally, these bills are only introduced by the legislators who represent the areas under consideration, and State Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) has said she will not do so in the New York Senate.

However, Metropolitan Park officials say that there are ways around Ramos’ approval.

“The state never intended any one person to have the ability to singlehandedly stop or approve a project,” Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Rickett said in a statement sent to the Queens Eagle. 

“We have plenty of time and other avenues to get this done and feel confident given the overwhelming support from elected officials, unions, and the local community, that we have the best overall project.”

One possibility could be finding another state senator to introduce the parkland alienation bill, though that – and subsequently getting the bill passed – might be challenging given the longstanding precedent against such moves in the state legislature. 

Cohen Pledges Community Benefits if Casino is Built

Cohen’s application, which includes a 243-page scope of work, outlines the entirety of the Metropolitan Park development. That includes a $163 million community impact fund, as well as significant public space, including athletic fields, a playground, bike paths, and upgrades to the nearby Willets Point subway station. 

However, Cohen says he doesn’t plan to build any part of the project unless he is approved to build a casino. If Metropolitan Park gains all necessary approvals, and is selected as one of up to three downstate projects to receive a license from the state, Cohen says the complex would be completed by 2030. 

“It’s time New York got the sports and entertainment park it deserves,” Cohen said in a statement. 

“Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of.”

It’s unclear whether or not Metropolitan Park truly has local support, with varying polls released by supporters and detractors showing different results. But the Queens project is far from the only casino proposal that has had to deal with significant pushback from surrounding communities and local politicians. 

A Times Square casino bid supported by Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and SL Green is offering a $250 million commitment in community benefits in an effort to overcome opposition on Broadway and in Hell’s Kitchen. Meanwhile, a group called Protect the High Line is working against a $12 billion resort at Hudson Yards proposed by Related Companies and Wynn Resorts, saying it would degrade the High Line public park and surrounding neighborhoods.