Steve Cohen’s proposed casino project is facing backlash as final submissions are due
The debate over billionaire Steve Cohen’s proposed casino and entertainment complex next to Citi Field is heating up in Queens. A packed public hearing at Borough Hall this week saw supporters and opponents of the $8 billion Metropolitan Park project trading chants and jeers in a charged atmosphere that resembled a baseball rivalry game.
The plan would convert 50 acres of Citi Field parking lots into a large mixed-use development anchored by a Hard Rock International casino. Cohen, who owns the New York Mets, has pitched it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost Queens’ economy, create jobs, and link together key sports venues in Flushing Meadows, including the US Open site and the future NYCFC stadium. His team has highlighted features such as a new pedestrian-friendly entryway, a vendor plaza, and the promise of a 25-acre public park.
Yet the project has encountered significant pushback. Local State Senator Jessica Ramos has already opposed it, and many residents argue that the development would fuel displacement and gambling-related harms. Critics at the hearing accused Cohen of using his wealth to force an unwanted casino onto the community, with some saying that parks and amenities should not depend on private gaming profits.
The meeting was part of the review process by the Community Advisory Committee, which must approve the project by a two-thirds vote before it advances to state regulators. That vote must be held by September 30, though additional hearings are possible. With only three downstate casino licenses available, competition is fierce, and Queens already hosts Resorts World at Aqueduct, a frontrunner in the bidding.
While Cohen has secured endorsements from some community leaders and business groups who see the casino as an economic lifeline, the opposition reflects deep divisions in Queens. The next hearing is scheduled for September 16, where the debate over whether a casino belongs in Citi Field’s backyard is certain to continue.
