May 27, 2025, marked a pivotal date for the urban future of Queens—and perhaps all of New York City. On that day, the New York State Senate approved a bill—by an overwhelming 54-to-5 vote—allowing billionaire and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen to submit a formal bid for one of the state’s three highly coveted downstate casino licenses. At the center of the plan is the proposed $8 billion “Metropolitan Park” development, which aims to transform the area surrounding Citi Field into a massive entertainment and leisure complex.
From Parking Lot to Urban Playground
Today, the space is just a sprawling parking lot. Tomorrow? It could become one of the most dynamic entertainment districts in the United States. Metropolitan Park is set to reshape more than 50 acres of land into a vibrant urban destination, which would feature:
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A Hard Rock casino and hotel, with restaurants, lounges, and event venues
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A 20-acre public park, plus 5 more acres dedicated to sports and youth programming
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Retail and food halls celebrating Queens’ culinary diversity
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A pedestrian bridge across Flushing Creek, connecting Willets Point and Flushing
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Infrastructure upgrades, including a revamped 7 train subway station
Altogether, the project promises 23,000 jobs (construction and permanent), and over $1 billion in community benefits. It’s massive, by any standard.
The Legislative Maneuver: A “Parkland Alienation” Bill
There was a major legal hurdle. The area in question is currently designated as public parkland, which legally cannot be used for private development—unless the legislature intervenes. The recently passed bill, referred to as the “parkland alienation bill,” resolves that.
The bill’s lead sponsor, Senator John Liu, had previously voiced skepticism. But he changed course after Cohen’s team agreed to include a High Line-style elevated park in the plans—an amenity that helped win support. Still, not everyone is on board.
Jessica Ramos Says No: “A Casino Is Not Equitable Development”
Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents Corona (the district directly impacted), has been the most vocal opponent. She accused Cohen of disregarding the actual needs of local residents, arguing that a casino would worsen existing social challenges—gambling addiction, traffic congestion, rising rents.
Ramos proposed an alternative vision centered on a hotel, conference center, cultural space—without a casino. Her opposition, however, wasn’t enough to block the bill. The torch now passes to one key player.
Governor Hochul Holds the Pen—and the Power
Although the bill cleared the Senate, it still awaits final approval from Governor Kathy Hochul. So far, she has not taken a public position, choosing instead to carefully weigh competing interests: economic growth vs. community well-being.
Time is ticking. Cohen must submit his official bid to the New York State Gaming Commission by June 27, 2025. Licenses are expected to be awarded before the year’s end.
Not Just Cohen: The Competitive Casino Landscape
Cohen isn’t alone in the race. Other heavyweight contenders are vying for the same licenses:
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Genting, aiming to expand Resorts World in Queens
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MGM, proposing to upgrade Empire City Casino in Yonkers
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Projects also being floated for Times Square, Hudson Yards, and Coney Island
Still, Metropolitan Park stands out as one of the few proposals that offers a comprehensive urban redevelopment, not just a gambling venue.
Public Debate: Progress or Privatization?
The project has ignited passionate debate. Supporters—like the Queens Chamber of Commerce and several economic groups—hail the development as a long-overdue transformation of underused space, citing the potential for increased tax revenue, job creation, and a boost to tourism.
Opponents, including FED UP (Flushing for Equitable Development and Urban Planning), raise red flags. They worry about displacement, gentrification, and loss of green space. There’s also concern about problem gambling and the long-term social impact on vulnerable families.
A Monumental Project with an Uncertain Future
This isn’t just about concrete and poker chips. The project aims to redefine Queens’ urban identity, and with it, sparks a deeper question: What does “development” really mean in a city as diverse and dense as New York?
Steve Cohen, though publicly quiet, has spent millions on community outreach, planning, and lobbying. His team insists this is not just a casino—it’s a new urban ecosystem. But whether this will be viewed as a rebirth or a step toward exclusionary development remains to be seen.
Conclusion: A Senate Green Light, a City in Flux
To sum up: the Senate has cleared the way, but the future of Metropolitan Park still hangs in the balance. With high stakes and powerful players on all sides, the casino plan faces further scrutiny—by the governor, regulators, and most of all, by the communities it promises to serve.
Whether it becomes a model for 21st-century development or a flashpoint for urban inequality, this $8B casino project is one of the most consequential stories in New York’s real estate and political scene today.
