State Senator Jessica Ramos is refusing to back Steve Cohen’s $8 billion casino proposal near Citi Field, citing overwhelming community opposition and her unwillingness to alienate public parkland for private development.
At a Glance
- Steve Cohen proposes an $8B casino complex near Citi Field
- Senator Jessica Ramos opposes the project, citing community concerns
- Legislation is needed to reclassify parkland for the casino’s construction
- Other lawmakers support the project, but Ramos’s stance poses challenges
Senator Ramos Takes a Stand
New York State Senator Jessica Ramos has publicly opposed Mets owner Steve Cohen’s $8 billion plan to build a casino and entertainment complex, known as Metropolitan Park, on the parking lots adjacent to Citi Field. Ramos, whose district includes Corona and surrounding neighborhoods, has stated she will not introduce legislation required to reclassify the parkland for commercial use, a necessary step for the project’s advancement.
“I will not introduce legislation to alienate parkland in Corona for the purposes of a casino,” Ramos declared, as reported by the New York Post, emphasizing her commitment to preserving public spaces for community use.
Watch WNBF’s report on the incident at Steve Cohen’s $8B Casino Project Gets Crucial Support from Queens Lawmaker.
Community Opposition and Legislative Hurdles
Ramos’s resistance stems from a groundswell of neighborhood disapproval. Many residents fear the casino would accelerate gentrification, increase traffic, and harm low-income families and seniors. “Three-quarters of my neighbors don’t want it,” she told the New York Post, underscoring her grassroots opposition.
Despite her stance, fellow Queens legislator John Liu has introduced legislation to reclassify the Citi Field parking lot from parkland to commercial use. According to WNBF, this bill could potentially bypass Ramos’s refusal to act, though it still faces hurdles in Albany.
Supporters Push Back
Cohen has pledged $100 million in community improvements, including retail spaces, dining options, and hotel amenities tied to the casino plan. Supporters like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and City Councilman Francisco Moya are championing the project, emphasizing its potential economic benefits. They argue the project could bring thousands of jobs and spark long-term development in the area.
A spokesperson told the New York Post that “the state never intended any one person to have the ability to single-handedly stop or approve a gaming project,” further urging state leaders to find alternative ways to green-light the proposal.
Rivals and Alternatives Emerge
While Ramos suggests a hotel and convention center that includes expanded green spaces, Cohen faces stiff competition for one of just three downstate casino licenses. Other bidders include Related Companies paired with Wynn Resorts, and SL Green in partnership with Caesars and Roc Nation.
As reported by The City, each of these projects is vying for approval from the New York State Gaming Commission, the final gatekeeper in this high-stakes race.
Uncertain Future
Cohen’s Metropolitan Park project has already cleared some hurdles, including preliminary zoning approvals. But the question of whether Ramos can hold the line on blocking the reclassification of public parkland remains central to the project’s fate.
Whether her firm opposition can derail the effort or simply delay it, Ramos has become the face of local resistance—against not just Cohen’s casino, but a broader battle over who decides the future of Queens development.
