Latest Yorkers can sing, take me to the casino if a Queens cop gets his way!
Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry introduced a bill Wednesday that may allow Mets owner Steve Cohen to redevelop the overcrowded parking lots around Citi Field’s baseball team into a casino and entertainment complex.
Lots and other properties around Citi Field in Willets Point are considered parkland – designated as a part of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in 1939.
A change in state law is required to permit other uses.
So Aubry, who represents Corona and a part of Flushing, swings the zoning stick and rolls the dice for Cohen and his real estate development company Latest Green Willets LLC.
“The City of Latest York is allowed to stop use as a park and alienation by entering into leases or other agreements with Latest Green Willets, LLC … to develop, construct, maintain, operate, use or occupy such playground land,” we read in the content of the draft law.
Pro-casino development act was first reported by The City.
The state is considering issuing up to 3 lower-state casino licenses value $500 million, which could include Latest York City and surrounding suburban counties.
Cohen’s development team held multiple community sessions to solicit feedback on the potential use of lots and other properties around Citi Field.
“The local people and Mets fans have told us strongly that they need more of the 50 acres of asphalt around Citi Field.
Cohen and his team are committed to realizing the vision with dedicated green spaces, year-round entertainment and well-paying local jobs,” said Cohen spokeswoman Maria Comella.
“We support efforts to create a process that does this the right way and allows land use to be prolonged beyond just automotive parks.”
Aubry told The Post he wanted to offer Cohen’s team a shot at winning the casino bid.
“Without the rules, they would not give you the chance to compete. They need to give you the chance to compete,” Aubry said.
“I’m also involved in the jobs and opportunities that may be provided to local communities.”
Equally essential, said Aubrey, is that the redevelopment will include a public park and footpath linking Willets Point No. 7 Station with Flushing Marina.
He said public access to Flushing Bay is now restricted.
State Senator Jessica Ramos, who also represents the area that features the Cohen estate, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and surrounding neighborhoods, didn’t comment on the matter.
Queens Borough Mayor Donovan Richards, who will sit on a council of MPs that may have the power to approve or veto any casino proposal in the borough, said he was “encouraged to begin the legislative process” with the Aubrey Bill but didn’t take a firm stance.
Cohen, a billionaire hedge fund owner, is committing his financial strength to an try to open a casino and/or entertainment complex on land surrounding the Mets Stadium.
His company Latest Green Willets paid $436,665 to seven different lobbyists last 12 months.
He also pumped $1.5 million into Super Pac, which endorsed Mayor Eric Adams’ successful bid for city hall in 2021.
His wife, Alexandra Cohen, donated $117,300 to the state Democratic committee last 12 months.
Owners of the existing arcades at Aqueduct Raceway in Ozone Park, Queens and Yonkers Racecourses – MGM’s Genting/Resorts World and Empire City – are expected to submit bids to expand their table gaming offerings.
Resorts World at Aqueduct and Willets Point/Citi Field are lower than 10 miles apart.
State gaming officials will consider other casino license applications in the Latest York region – including Times Square, Hudson Yards, Trump Golf Course in Ferry Point, Bronx, and Coney Island, Brooklyn – after a lengthy review that features community advisory boards consisting of with the mayor and representatives of the council, the state assembly and the Senate.
Gaming giant Bally’s is betting on the Bronx – it recently discussed a plan to construct a casino on what’s now the Trump Organization public golf course in Ferry Point.
The consortium recently unveiled renderings of a dazzling latest “Coney” casino and hotel that may be erected just steps from Brooklyn’s famous boardwalk and beach, nestled between the iconic Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, renderings show.
The consortium includes Thor Equities, gaming operators Saratoga Casino Holdings and The Chickasaw Nation and Legends, a sports and entertainment company co-owned by the Yankees.
Others planning bids to run the casino include the Steve Ross-Related Corporations/Wynn Resorts partnership for Hudson Yards and the owner SL Green/Caesars Entertainment team in Times Square.