Queens Casino Development Plan Gets Boost After Committee Vote

The Queens casino development plan has received significant support following a crucial committee vote, moving the proposed Hard Rock International project closer to reality

• State Senate committee votes to allow Cohen to build on a parking lot near Citi Field.
• The vote is viewed as a significant support for the Cohen/Hard Rock casino proposal.

Steve Cohen’s proposal to develop a casino hotel in Queens, New York, has received a significant boost as a state Senate committee voted in favour of allowing the construction on a previously underutilised parking lot near Citi Field.

This development is crucial for the anticipated $8 billion project dubbed ‘Metropolitan Park’ – a venture from the owner of the New York Mets alongside Hard Rock International, aiming to spur job creation and revitalise the borough. The parking area in question is situated in Willets Point, an area that has remained largely unused for years.

Warnings from advocates for the Queens casino project suggest that if land usage issues aren’t addressed, the future of Willets Point may suffer a similar fate to its present neglect.

Positive Steps for the Queens Casino

Earlier in the session, the state Senate committee voted 4-3 in favour of a new bill permitting the commercial use of the Willets Point site, which is currently designated as parkland. State Senator John Liu (D-Bayside), representing part of the district, introduced the legislation, making it vital for the future of Metropolitan Park.

If Liu’s bill is signed into law, it will enable Cohen and Hard Rock to file a formal application for a downstate casino license. The deadline for submissions is June 27, with the Gaming Facility Location Board indicating that resolution of land use disputes will be a prerequisite for applicants.

“For decades, these 50 acres of asphalt have remained parking lots,” said Metropolitan Park spokesperson Karl Rickett. “Today’s committee approval brings us closer to delivering 25 acres of public park space, 23,000 union jobs, new entertainment options, and over $1 billion in community benefits for Queens.”

The pivotal vote occurred shortly after State Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) acknowledged Liu’s bill could progress without her backing. Ramos, whose constituents overlap with the planned Metropolitan Park area, has consistently opposed parkland alienation legislation that would facilitate the casino initiative.

On April 2^nd, Cohen and Hard Rock also announced their collaboration with Slate Property Group, LLC, which aims to provide 450 new residential units a few miles from the proposed Metropolitan Park site. This development is expected to bolster their bid’s acceptance among regulators and may have influenced other competing proposals to enhance their residential commitments.

The Competitive Landscape for New York Casinos

In the most optimistic scenario, recommendations regarding which bidders will receive the three available downstate casino licenses will be provided to the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) by December.

It is widely speculated that MGM Resorts International’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York in Queens will secure two of the licenses, leaving Cohen/Hard Rock and six other applicants vying for the final permit. This reality underscores the importance of Tuesday’s vote.

Furthermore, ongoing changes within the competitive landscape may further impact Metropolitan Park’s prospects. Recent withdrawals from the fray, such as Saks and the Las Vegas Sands seeking a partner for its Nassau Coliseum casino plan, signal a shift in dynamics that could play in favour of the remaining contenders.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

The prospect of a significant casino development in Queens holds the promise of substantial economic benefits for the local community. As legislative hurdles are gradually overcome, this initiative aims to transform long-neglected areas into vibrant spaces, potentially reshaping the local economy.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation evolves, reflecting ongoing developments within the New York casino landscape. With the deadline for licensing applications approaching, the next few months will be crucial in determining the future of the Metropolitan Park project.