The New York State Assembly has approved legislation allowing the billionaire New York Mets owner to develop nearly 50 acres of land into an $8 billion entertainment and casino project called Metropolitan Park.
The measure overwhelmingly passed Tuesday with a 138-7 vote, representing a significant achievement for Cohen’s long-debated casino bid.
“This is the opportunity to bring real investment to our local economy, having the bold vision of turning 50 acres of asphalt into an entity that delivers real benefits,” Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks, the bill’s sponsor, told fellow lawmakers before voting. “This is about giving something back to residents that’s given more than they’ve received.”
Mets owner Cohen first unveiled the project in 2023 with Hard Rock International Inc. It would transform the neglected Willets Point lot into Metropolitan Park, a sprawling hospitality and entertainment hub featuring a casino, hotel, and new green spaces.
Senator Ramos Remains a Vocal Opponent
While the bill’s passage represents another positive development for Cohen, it could face more resistance in the Senate. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, who represents the area where the project would be built, remains one of its most vocal opponents. She has voiced concerns about the project’s transparency and potential impact on surrounding communities.
In a statement Tuesday, Ramos reaffirmed her stance. “I will not introduce legislation to alienate parkland in Corona for the purposes of a casino,” she said.
“Whether people rallied for or against Metropolitan Park, I heard the same dreams for Corona. We want investment and opportunity, we are desperate for green space, and recreation for the whole family,” Ramos continued.
“We disagree on the premise that we have to accept a casino in our backyard as the trade-off.”
The project may still become a reality without Ramos’s blessing. In an interview with the New York Post, Ramos acknowledged that possibility, saying, “I don’t know if I have the power to block that legislation.”
A companion bill introduced last month by state Sen. John Liu was widely seen as another win for Cohen.
Mets Owner Proposal Is ‘More Than Just a Casino’
Because the area is designated parkland, it cannot be repurposed without explicit state legislation. Hence, Cohen, whose net worth is valued by Bloomberg Billionaires Index at $14.8 billion, and Hard Rock are among the bidders trying to secure one of three coveted licenses in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. Regulators have set a June 27 deadline for applications.
Cohen’s proposal includes a casino, a hotel, a convention center, a live music venue, a food hall, parking garages, and 25 acres of public park space.
The hedge fund titan, who has pledged over $100 million toward community improvements, estimates it will create approximately 23,000 union jobs.
“For decades, these 50 acres of asphalt have only been parking lots,” Karl Rickett, a Metropolitan Park spokesperson, told the Queens Eagle. “The overwhelming Assembly approval brings us one step closer to delivering 25 acres of actual public park space, 23,000 union jobs, new entertainment options, and over $1 billion in community benefits for Queens.”
Hoping to boost their chances of approval, Cohen and Hard Rock announced a separate development plan last month to build 450 affordable housing units near the proposed Metropolitan Park site. The project, in conjunction with State Property Group, would feature an outdoor play space, a children’s playground, and on-site parking.
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