A long-debated casino project near Citi Field gained momentum this week after the New York State Assembly approved legislation to rezone parkland for development. The bill, passed in a 138-7 vote, brings New York Mets owner Steve Cohen a step closer to realizing his $8 billion Metropolitan Park vision—a sprawling entertainment complex anchored by a casino, developed in partnership with Hard Rock International.

Metropolitan Park: a vision for Queens’ future:

Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks (D-Queens), the bill’s primary sponsor, defended the initiative as an opportunity to revitalize an underutilized 50-acre stretch of land near Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. “This is the opportunity to bring real investment to our local economy,” Hooks said. “This [is] about giving something back to residents that’s given more than they’ve received.”

Cohen and Hard Rock first unveiled their plans for Metropolitan Park in late 2023, promoting the project as a transformative investment for Queens. In addition to the proposed casino and hotel, the plan includes publicly accessible green space, arts and cultural venues, and sports-oriented facilities intended to boost year-round activity in an area that often lies dormant outside of baseball season.

In March, Hooks published an op-ed in City & State New York that strongly supported the redevelopment, describing it as “a game-changer” that “honors Queens’ past while boldly stepping into its future.” Though her piece did not mention “casino” or “gaming” explicitly, she emphasized the project’s job creation potential. “Think about the thousands of union jobs this project will create — good-paying, career-building jobs that keep Queens strong,” she wrote.

Cohen’s broader development plan recently expanded with a separate partnership involving Slate Property Group. Together, they’ve proposed 450 new residential units, including affordable housing, in a neighborhood near the casino site—potentially making the overall project more appealing to lawmakers and regulators.

Senate battle looms over Parkland status:

Despite clearing the Assembly, the proposal now faces its most significant test in the New York State Senate. That’s where political opposition could stall, or possibly derail, the rezoning effort.

According to the New York Post, the land in question is currently classified as parkland, meaning its conversion requires legislative approval to “alienate” it for development. Earlier this year, State Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside) introduced a companion bill in the Senate. While Liu represents only a small portion of the area targeted for redevelopment, most of the site falls within the district of Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), a longstanding critic of efforts to rezone parkland for commercial use.

Ramos has previously stood firm against such legislative moves and holds considerable influence over what happens next. Though she hasn’t publicly committed to fighting Liu’s version of the bill, Ramos acknowledged that Cohen’s well-funded lobbying campaign may succeed despite her opposition.

Cohen’s bid gains ground amid competitor withdrawals:

While Cohen pushes forward, other casino developers are retreating. Las Vegas Sands recently withdrew its $4 billion proposal for a casino near the Nassau Coliseum, and the Soloviev Group, which is pursuing a casino with Mohegan in Midtown Manhattan, is now offering stock options to local residents in a bid to gain community support.

Cohen, by contrast, has invested millions into lobbying efforts to clear the path for Metropolitan Park, and his persistence appears to be paying off. While political challenges remain in the Senate, the Assembly’s approval suggests that Cohen’s vision is far from dead—and might even be gaining traction.