Ramos’ Opposition to Citi Field Casino Could Squash Mets Owner’s Plans

It appears that New York Sen. Jessica Ramos holds the cards determining if Mets owner's plans for a casino development around Citi Field can move forward. (Image: Hans Pennink/Associated Press/Alamy)

State Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) has officially come out against New York Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal to build a casino complex on what are now parking lots adjacent to Citi Field, dealing a massive blow to Cohen’s hopes of securing a downstate casino license. 

Ramos made her opposition official in a New York Magazine article published Tuesday that outlined the hopes of several major developers angling for one of the three downstate casino licenses available in New York. 

Anti-Casino Ramos Accuses Cohen of Holding Community ‘Hostage’

Ramos has long shown skepticism over the Metropolitan Park project, and publicly made comments critical of Cohen’s plans. However, many thought there was at least a chance this was a negotiating tactic, and that she would ultimately offer the necessary support to move the project forward. 

“I’m resentful of him holding our entire community hostage by saying that it’s a casino or nothing,” Ramos told New York Magazine. “Why should anybody just get their way like that when it’s a decision that is going to impact millions of people? This is actually public land. Our land.”

Some supporters of the casino proposal – which would also include other amenities, such as a hotel, convention center, and parkland – have suggested that the development could bring generational wealth to the community. Ramos specifically disputed that argument.

“The people who are here, they’re hoping to build generational wealth,” Ramos said. “And I just don’t see how a casino helps us meet that goal. I mean, it’s literally the opposite. It’s the extraction of the very little wealth we have.”

Alienation Unlikely Without Ramos’ Support

Ramos is critical to the Metropolitan Park proposal’s hopes because the land near Citi Field is still considered parkland. For commercial development to take place there, the state legislature must pass an alienation bill. Traditionally, legislators only introduce such alienation bills for their own districts. That means that in the New York Senate, Ramos would be the lawmaker responsible for bringing forward the bill – and it’s unlikely that another legislator will do it in her place.

According to the New York Times, Ramos says she would support an alternative proposal in which Cohen could build a convention center and hotel near La Guardia Airport – a less lucrative proposal than a complex centered on a casino, but a major project nonetheless. 

While Ramos’ opposition creates a major hurdle for the Metropolitan Park development, Cohen and his team don’t think they’re out of the running yet.

“The state never intended any one person to have the ability to single-handedly stop or approve a gaming project,” Metropolitan Park spokesperson Maria Comella stated. “We are confident that we have the best project in the best location.”

Even if Cohen and his partners – which include casino operator Hard Rock International – can find a way to work around Ramos’ opposition, the messy process could hurt the bid’s chances, especially as it is up against some stiff competition in New York City.

Caesars and SL Green are leading a bid to build a casino in Times Square, while the Related Companies and Wynn want to put on in Hudson Yards. Thor Equities wants to build in Coney Island, while Bally’s wants to put a casino at the site of a former Trump Organization golf club. And Resorts World New York City wants to transform its existing racino into a fully fledged casino resort.