A state lawmaker from Queens is stepping up to the plate for her community to block New York Mets owner and billionaire businessman Steve Cohen and partners from building a casino in Willets Point.
For now.
The New York Post reports that Sen. Jessica Ramos will not introduce legislation to ease land-use restrictions around Citi Field for the construction of a casino and entertainment complex. The Democratic councilwoman said many of her constituents oppose bringing casino gambling to their area.
The immediate reaction to Ramos’ opposition may be to assume the downstate NY casinos project is all but dead.
Not so fast. Things move slowly in government but quickly in politics.
So you’re declaring there’s a chance?
Ramos’ support in Albany’s Upper Chamber is crucial for Cohen and gambling partner Seminole Gaming to move forward with plans to build a Hard Rock casino next to the Mets stadium. The proposed site is located in Flushing Meadows/Corona Park, designated as parkland.
The state legislature can change the designation. However, Ramos, as the local senator, holds all the cards. Ramos told the Post that she would not introduce a bill in the final weeks of the current legislative session, which expires at the end of June.
“I had a very robust town hall on Friday, which is the first of many conversations I have with my neighbors. My neighbors and I are not currently in a place where it would be appropriate to introduce parkland alienation legislation.”
Politicians rarely make definitive statements, and this one is no different. Ramos’ remarks leave open the possibility that circumstances may change and local opposition is not absolute.
The Post reports that Ramos estimates about 65% of the people who spoke at the aforementioned town hall were against the casino. Any seasoned news reporter can tell you that opponents of local issues show up in larger numbers than supporters at public events. The not-in-my-backyard crowd is almost always more vocal and energized.
Income, jobs could change story
But a spokesperson for Cohen says they’ve also had community engagements. According to the spokesperson, these meetings provide a more optimistic view of the proposed casino and entertainment project.
A statement from a Cohen spokesperson to The Post read, in part:
“Based on the input we have received through 15 listening sessions, hundreds of meetings, and 20,000 door-to-door conversations, we believe that both Mets fans and the surrounding community will like what they see when we unveil a vision anchored in new public green space, thousands of new and permanent jobs, and entertainment that brings people to the area every day of the year.”
From this, one might infer that Cohen’s New Green Willets LLC will rely on an economic argument to persuade locals. The promise of new jobs, local economic activity, and increased tax revenue could eventually sway some representatives in Albany who are currently opposed to gambling expansions in their communities. Stock market investors seemed to believe this during a recent gambling conference in Atlantic City.
No painless route to LOS ANGELES casinos
The Queens community’s resistance to casinos is not alone. Coalitions in Nassau County on Long Island, in Manhattan’s Times Square, and in Brooklyn’s Coney Island are all coming out against proposed casino projects.
New York will be awarding three downstate casino licenses. The downstate region includes New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County.
Two of the three downstate licenses are expected to go to existing racinos. Empire City, an MGM Resorts International property in Yonkers, and the Genting Group’s Resorts World at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens are the frontrunners to obtain licenses.
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are behind the Cohen proposal at Willets Point. Caesars Entertainment, Mohegan Gaming, Bally’s Corp., Wynn Resorts, Saratoga Casino/Legends, and Las Vegas Sands are also reported to be pursuing a NY casino license.
David Danzis is a blogger for PlayNY. He is a native of New Jersey and an honors graduate of Rutgers University. Previously, he worked as a newspaper reporter for the New Jersey Herald and Press of Atlantic City, where he received statewide recognition for his coverage of politics, government, education, sports, and business. Currently, he focuses on New York’s evolving legal gambling landscape, including online betting and the potential legalization of online casinos in NY. David resides in Mays Landing with his wife and two children. When he’s not at the beach, on the golf course, or snowboarding, he enjoys cheering for his favorite New York sports teams — the Yankees, Jets, Rangers, and Knicks.
