Published on: October 9, 2024, 04:29h.
Last updated on: October 9, 2024, 04:29h.
In a potential case where connections in high places may pay off, there are reports that New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s quest to bring a casino hotel to Queens could receive a boost from Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat to whom Cohen is a significant donor.
The New York Post disclosed today, quoting unnamed sources, that Hochul’s 2025 budget might incorporate a measure allowing parkland to be eligible for gaming establishments. Earlier this year, the Queens casino initiative, Metropolitan Park, faced a setback when State Sen. Jessica Ramos refused to introduce legislation to remove Willets Point from its parkland designation. Ramos, who represents the Citi Field area, opposed the idea of a casino in the district.
New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who has advocated for expediting the downstate casino process, authored a bill in the Assembly that aimed to change Willets Point’s parkland classification, but no complementary bill surfaced in the State Senate.
Ramos disagrees with Hochul’s proposal to expand the uses of parkland in her budget plan. She expressed to The Post that it would be an “unfortunate” decision by the governor. Ramos is reportedly contemplating a mayoral run in New York City.
Cohen’s Efforts to Influence New York Democrats
Cohen and Hard Rock International are promoting a $8 billion project named Metropolitan Park, which includes entertainment venues, green spaces, and local dining establishments.
As part of his campaign to secure one of the three downstate casino licenses, Cohen has been a significant donor to New York Democrats in recent years. State election records reveal that he and his wife Alexandra donated $136,700 to Hochul’s campaign in 2021. Between January 1, 2023, and July 11, 2024, Cohen contributed $235,000 to the New York State Democratic Committee, as reported by Gothamist.
The Post noted that earlier this year, Cohen and his wife hosted Hochul in a luxury suite at Citi Field for a Mets game, drawing criticism from some New York political analysts who viewed it as potential preference towards the Queens casino proposal.
Hochul is anticipated to unveil her 2025 budget in January, which might feature the expansion of the Uniform Land-Use Reform Process (ULURP). Cohen and Hard Rock could seek support from a different politician, in addition to Ramos, to back a bill alongside Pretlow’s legislation to amend Willets Point’s classification. This suggests that supporters of the Queens casino have alternatives and Ramos cannot obstruct the project indefinitely.
Hochul’s Decision Could Impact Other Casino Plans
While Hochul including the ULURP expansion in her budget could be seen as favoring Cohen, it could also benefit other downstate casino initiatives, such as Bally’s plans in the Bronx and the proposed development by Related Cos./Wynn Resorts on the Westside of Manhattan.
Bally’s faces a similar parkland classification issue at the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, representing the district including Ferry Point, stated in May that he would not introduce a bill to change the land’s classification.
On the Westside, Related and Wynn have proposed a $12 billion project, which is facing opposition from the High Line and other groups advocating for the preservation of the iconic park of the same name.