Checking In On Steve Cohen’s Casino Plans

Now that Mets owner Steve Cohen has delivered Juan Soto on the most lucrative contract in sports history, the billionaire owner is continuing in his efforts to transform the area around Citi Field into an entertainment center highlighted by a casino. It would be called “Metropolitan Park.”

Cohen’s plan includes turning 50 acres of land, currently used as the Citi Field parking lot, into a multi-faceted attraction, with a live music section and a “Taste of Queens,” food hall. The centerpiece of the plan would be a casino, run by Hard Rock Entertainment.

According to an article recently published in amny.com, Cohen is locked in a battle to win the opportunity to execute his plan, which would require earning a casino license. The problem for Cohen is that only three such licenses will be award to downstate interests, and two of them are expected to go for “racinos,” which have horse racing and and slot machines, but no table games. Competition is stiff for the sole license to be awarded for a full casino.

Other celebrity bidders are also seeking to build casinos in Times Square, Hudson Yards, the United Nations, Coney Island, and the former Trump Links golf course in the Bronx, among other spots. To enhance his chances, Cohen is offering to build 20 acres of new public parks and five acres of new community athletic fields, accessibility upgrades at the Mets-Willets Point 7 train stop, improved roadways and cycling paths, and a $163 million “community impact fund,” that would provide grants to local Queens nonprofits.

As one might imagine, the entire concept has drawn significant political attention. State Senator Jessica Ramos opposes the idea, citing that her constituents are not in favor. Other local politicians, including Borough President Donovan Richards, are in favor of the idea of turning the unsightly area around Citi Field into something more functional.

Ramos’ lack of support does not necessarily mean the project will not go forward. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Park, Karl Rickett,  said the following, from the cited article:

“The state never intended any one person to have the ability to single-handedly stop or approve a project, which is why this process is designed to engage the community and elected officials every step of the way,” said Rickett. “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. We are all in.”

Parking is already an issue at Citi Field. With last season’s National League Championship Series appearance and the excitement from the Juan Soto signing, attendance will likely be up in 2025 and for years to come. Metropolitan Park will offer fans attending a game a diverse experience, and also help the area aesthetically. However, the parking situation will need to be addressed, provided the political hurdles are cleared and Cohen actually wins the sole license to build a casino downstate.

One of things we learned (or was confirmed) from the Soto process is that Cohen does not like to lose. The smart money may be on Cohen bringing Metropolitan Park to fruition. But, only time will tell.

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