State Senator to Sponsor Bill to Aid Steve Cohen’s Casino

Juan Soto is Steve Cohen’s $765 million man, but State Sen. John Liu is providing the New York Mets owner with something every baseball fan needs this time of year: hope.

Over the weekend, Liu announced he would sponsor a parkland alienation bill for Cohen’s proposed casino complex in the parking lot west of Citi Field in Flushing, Crain’s reported. The bill is necessary because the parking lot is technically city parkland, requiring intervention at the state level.

It’s a moment of palace intrigue for the state legislature, which typically defers to the wishes of the local lawmaker on land use decisions — in this case, mayoral candidate Jessica Ramos’ district has most of the 50-acre park while Liu represents about 12 acres of it. Ramos previously refused to take up a parkland alienation bill, apparently dooming Cohen’s $8 billion Metropolitan Park project.

Other legislators would still have to fall in lockstep with Liu to pass the bill. He said he believes he has sufficient support for a bill to pass the legislature and discussed with Ramos before announcing his decision. Ramos, for her part, released a statement decrying the casino possibility in her district and sticking to her position in opposing parkland alienation, ostensibly in line with community members.

Liu said he came out in support of the plan for the 50-acre site after the addition of a park in the style of the High Line spanning Flushing Creek and reaching downtown Flushing.

The legislature adjourns in June, giving little time for the bill to get passed and coming shortly before applications for a downstate casino license are due. The City Council, meanwhile, already approved a parkland alienation measure for the site.

Cohen and bid partner Hard Rock signed a binding agreement to fund $100 million in infrastructure upgrades to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Cohen’s proposal also includes a hotel, live music venue, food hall and 20 acres of public park space; he has said he won’t build any of it without securing a gaming license.

— Holden Walter-Warner

This story was updated to reflect that Liu’s district represents 12 acres of Metropolitan Park.