“Proposal for Citi Field Casino Blocked by Local Opposition and Senator’s Decision to Delay State Legislation”

A proposal to build a casino near Citi Field in Queens has been blocked for now.

The plan requires approval by the state legislature, but Sen. Jessica Ramos has said she has no intention of introducing a bill before the current session in Albany ends in a few weeks.

Ramos notes that more than half the attendees at a recent community meeting opposed the casino project, proposed by Mets owner Steve Cohen.

According to Ramos, he needs more time for the plan to be discussed more broadly with the community.

“I’m so proud of last night’s town hall. Perspectives differed, passions ran high, but there was a commitment to stay engaged as a community.

“This is the first of many necessary conversations that I am going to have about the casino proposal near Citi Field. More to come,” the senator wrote in a message on social networks about what happened at the community meeting.

I’m very proud of last night’s town hall. Perspectives differed, passions ran high, but there was a commitment to staying engaged as a community.

It’s the first of many necessary conversations I’m going to have about the casino proposal near Citi Field. More to come. pic.twitter.com/fyLCeJrZg2

—Jessica Ramos (@jessicaramos) May 20, 2023

The open space next to Citi Field is technically a park and as such was designated part of Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the 1930s.

Albany needs to give up that designation for any construction there.

Cohen’s team will continue to speak to the community about the possibility of building a casino in the area.