Community at Odds Over Planned Casino at New York’s Citi Field

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 28, 2023

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Community members voiced their opposition to a proposed casino near Citi Field in Queens during a rally on Monday evening. Joseph Jung, an organizer from the Flushing Anti-Displacement Alliance, cited research highlighting the perceived harm caused by casinos to communities, particularly in terms of gambling addiction.

Mets owner Steve Cohen unveiled a $8 billion plan earlier this month to transform the adjacent parking lot into a casino and entertainment complex named “Metropolitan Park.” The ambitious project is anticipated to generate 15,000 jobs and allocate 25 acres of public park space.

Cohen’s bid is one among nearly a dozen competing for one of the three coveted licenses from the state’s gaming commission.

These licenses could be awarded for locations in the five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester. The protest took place outside the Elmcor Louis Armstrong Recreation Center, where State Sen. Jessica Ramos held a town hall on the project.

Ramos, who had previously blocked legislation allowing Cohen’s entertainment complex, emphasized the need for additional community discussions regarding the potential consequences and opportunities associated with the project.

To move forward with Cohen’s plan, Ramos would need to introduce legislation allowing the land around Citi Field to be designated as commercial property.

During the town hall, attendees had the option to align with one of two groups in the auditorium. One group was supportive of the casino project.

A community member, Tresia Smith, saw the proposal as a potential win-win situation. She highlighted that Cohen’s plan included not only a casino but also a dining hall, concert area and handicapped access to the Willets Point train, which she believed would generate income.

Individuals opposed to Cohen’s proposal were also present at the meeting. Charlton D’Souza argued that the community required more schools, nonprofits and soup pantries, asserting that a casino was unnecessary.

A statement from Cohen’s Metropolitan Park group underlined Senator Ramos’s commitment to prioritizing the community and its residents.

The statement conveyed that Metropolitan Park is viewed as a revolutionary proposal that Senator Ramos and other community leaders can support.

Ramos revealed that she would decide on the approval of the legislation for Cohen’s plan in January and announced plans to host another town hall.

As of now, there is no specified timeline for the awarding of state casino licenses to selected bidders.