In a move highlighting the advantages of connections in powerful political circles, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s effort to introduce a casino hotel to Queens might find a savior in Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat to whom the billionaire financier has been a significant donor.
Earlier today, the New York Post revealed that Hochul’s 2025 budget could potentially include a provision to reclassify parkland for gaming purposes. This development comes after the Queens casino project, dubbed Metropolitan Park, faced a major setback when State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) declined to draft legislation that would change Willets Point’s parkland designation. Ramos, representing the Citi Field area, has consistently opposed turning the district into a casino hub.
New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon), a long-time advocate for the rapid establishment of downstate casinos, authored a bill that aimed to reclassify Willets Point. However, the companion bill never materialized in the State Senate.
Though he endorses Hochul’s proposal to expand the use of parkland in her budget, Ramos remains opposed, labeling it an “unfortunate” decision by the governor. Speculation is rife that Ramos is contemplating a run for mayor of New York City.
Cohen, in partnership with Hard Rock International, is proposing an $8 billion Metropolitan Park development featuring entertainment venues, green spaces, and local dining options. As a strategy to secure one of the three downstate casino permits, Cohen has become a major donor to New York Democrats. State election records indicate that Cohen and his wife Alexandra contributed $136,700 to Hochul’s campaign in 2021. Additionally, from January 1, 2023, to July 11, 2024, Cohen donated $235,000 to the New York State Democratic Committee.
The Post also reported that earlier this year, Cohen and his wife hosted Hochul in a luxury suite at Citi Field for a Mets game, leading to criticism from some New York political figures who suggested this might indicate gubernatorial favoritism towards the Queens casino initiative.
Hochul’s 2025 budget, expected in January, may include provisions to extend the Uniform Land-Use Reform Process (ULURP). Meanwhile, Cohen and Hard Rock might seek another politician aside from Ramos to sponsor a companion bill to Pretlow’s legislation, showing that proponents of the Queens casino have alternative routes and Ramos does not hold indefinite veto power.
Although Hochul’s proposed budget changes might seem to favor Cohen, these could also benefit other downstate casino projects, such as Bally’s plans in the Bronx and the Related Cos./Wynn Resorts proposed development on Manhattan’s Westside.
At the former Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point, Bally’s faces a similar parkland reclassification challenge as in Queens. Assemblyman Michael Benedetto (D-The Bronx), representing the district encompassing Ferry Point, declared in May that he would not propose a bill to change the land’s classification.
In Manhattan, Related and Wynn have a proposed $12 billion development opposed by High Line and other groups aiming to preserve the iconic park area.